Transient individual detained in relation to Kenneth Fire incident in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA – While firefighting teams persist in their battle against the Kenneth Fire threatening residences in Calabasas and West Hills, law enforcement captured a suspected arsonist Thursday evening following suspicious behavior in the vicinity.

The Los Angeles Police Department mobilized after receiving calls around 4:30 p.m. regarding an individual allegedly attempting to start a fire along the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.

Alert community members who spotted the suspect took action, holding him at the location until police forces arrived.

Images shared on the Citizen app show law enforcement personnel encircling a property where they took the suspect into custody. Officials have yet to release the individual’s identity or verify any direct connection to the Kenneth Fire or other active wildfires.

LAPD Topanga Division’s Sean Dinse shared initial information about the event, noting, “The incident took place here, and approximately 20-30 minutes afterward, citizens detained a suspect.”

Addressing arson speculation, Dinse stated, “Based on current evidence, that’s our assessment. We’re treating this as a criminal matter.”

A formal arson investigation has commenced, though further details about the detained individual remain undisclosed.

The Kenneth Fire initially sparked around 2:30 p.m. within dry vegetation in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space, positioned north of the 101 Freeway. The blaze expanded to 1,000 acres by 9 p.m., with firefighters achieving 35% containment.

Sky5’s overhead footage revealed fire teams deploying all available resources against the flames. Aircraft dropped fire suppressants along the blaze’s edges, while water-carrying planes protected endangered properties.

The Kenneth Fire represents one of multiple major wildfires currently devastating Southern California. Emergency crews are simultaneously combating the Palisades Fire affecting Pacific Palisades and Malibu, alongside the Eaton Fire threatening Altadena and Pasadena, as these incidents expand.

Officials advise residents within impacted zones to maintain awareness and comply with evacuation directives while fire personnel work extensively to control these devastating fires.

Additional information regarding the suspect or possible motivations remains pending at this time.