Are Wildfire Arsons Becoming More Frequent? If so, Why? Recent Cases and Arrests.
Mental Health and Drugs seem to be defining traits.
“The fire’s cause is under investigation” should now be a very familiar phrase. It seems that increasingly we are seeing folks from all walks of life starting vegetation fires. They also seem to be for different reasons. Right now in the US and Canada there are over 20 wildfires that are under investigation or their causes have yet to be determined. It seems however, with recent reports, that wildfire arson is happening more frequently.
For example a supposed TikTok trend has started in Asia where social media users start fires then film themselves in front of it. Perhaps one of the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard and seen. At least three firefighters have been killed fighting fires in Pakistan that have were blamed for this TikTok trend. One TikTok poster claims she did not start the fires she posed in front of but instead, locals lit the fires to kill snakes that were coming after their children.
There have been some notable cases in the last few months with different judges in multiple countries regarding this. In Canada, there was a 42 year old woman recently arrested. She is facing 4 separate arson charges for starting fires in British Columbia. The fires caused over 600 people to be evacuated from their homes. Reports say she was driving around to slash piles in the forest and lighting them and driving away. Locals saw her pickup truck and reported it to the police. She faces a very long prison sentence if found guilty.
In California, a former professor was arrested for allegedly setting 4 fires near the Dixie Fire’s location. Gary Stephan Maynard lectured in criminal justice studies specializing in criminal justice, cults, and deviant behavior at Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University.
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