Man arrested after negligence caused ignition of Jacob City Fire, police allege

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The man allegedly plugged a power saw into a generator and left it there in Saturdays 103 heat, causing the generator to catch fire.

(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Helicopters work on the Jacob City Fire outside Stockton, Tooele County, Monday, July 11, 2022.

| July 13, 2022, 1:00 am

Stockton Police arrested a man on Tuesday who they say started the Jacob City Fire, which has now burned over 4,000 acres near Stockton since its ignition on Saturday.

The man was arrested under suspicion of reckless burning and reckless endangerment, police said in a news release. On Saturday, the man reported to police that his generator caught fire and quickly spread to nearby trees, but investigators found evidence at the scene that conflicted with the mans initial statements.

In another interview with police on Tuesday, the man said he plugged a circular saw into the generator, which he had recently purchased refurbished. This saw cord had been cut, spliced ​​and taped back together, officials said in a release.

The saw would heat up during use so, on Saturday, the man set it down on the back of the RV next to a sealed gas can while outside temperatures reached up to 103 degrees. The man plugged the RV into the generator and went inside, but came out 10 minutes later after hearing a noise.

He then found the top of the generator on fire, as well as the surrounding trees, according to the release.

When the man attempted to put out the fire, he tossed burning sage and embers under the RV where another gas can was located, which led the RV to also catch fire. He then called 911.

Negligence does not release a party from responsibility and consequences of an incident that occurs due to his/her actions, Stockton Police said in the release. Members of the public need to be aware of current conditions while recreating on public lands. Special precautions should be taken to prevent wildfires from occurring.

Four other people were arrested Monday after they were accused of starting the Halfway Hill fire in Millard County, which also ignited on Saturday. Officials alleviate the fire started from an unattended campfire, which the four had attempted to extinguish.

The Halfway Hill fire has burned 10,436 acres so far.

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