Homeless Woman Arrested in Connection with a Fire behind Novato Skatepark
– By Jim Emerson
NOVATO, CA — A homeless woman with prior arrests on her record has been arrested
again—this time she allegedly started a fire.
Jamee R. Newkirk, 60, remains in custody at Marin County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.
“No one was injured because of the fire,” Novato police said in a prepared statement. Newkirk
was placed under arrest September 25 at 9:25 a.m., near a marsh at Aberdeen Road.
The fire happened behind Novato Skatepark on Hamilton Parkway. It was reported to police
on September 25 during the nighttime hours, shortly before 3 a.m.
Novato police and Novato Fire Protection District firefighters responded to the scene. Police
found a homeless encampment “fully engulfed” in flames.
The fire was spreading into nearby brush, but it was quickly contained and extinguished. Only minor damage occurred in the
surrounding area.
“The person associated with the encampment (Newkirk) remained at the scene, and
cooperated with investigators,” according to Novato PD.
A fire mitigation ranger along with officers investigated the fire, and Newkirk was
subsequently arrested. She was booked on suspicion of causing a fire of a structure or forest
land, a felony-level charge.
Newkirk has multiple prior arrests on her record involving alcohol and drugs.
California Highway Patrol arrested Newkirk in Monterey County for DUI/alcohol drugs in
February 2021.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested her in October 2022 for
DUI alcohol/drugs, driving without a license, and public intoxication. She was arrested in
Orange County in January 2016 for public intoxication.
