Big Pine Local Arrested for Felony Arson Following Vegetation Fire
BIG PINE, CA — On March 14, 2026, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local resident following the discovery of a vegetation fire in Big Pine. The suspect, identified as 38 year old Ryan Jones, was taken into custody on multiple charges including felony arson.
The incident began at approximately 1:12 p.m. when deputies, while engaged in an unrelated call for service near Center Street, observed a fire burning in a brush-covered field. The flames were located near the end of Poplar Avenue in an area containing several nearby structures. Deputies requested fire personnel and proceeded to the source of the fire, where they identified Jones as the only individual in the immediate vicinity.
Following an on-scene investigation, Jones was arrested and charged with felony arson of a structure or forest land (PC 451(c)) and felony possession of flammable materials or devices for arson (PC 453(a)). Additionally, he faces misdemeanor charges for obstructing or resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)) and possession of unlawful paraphernalia (HS 11364(a)).
Personnel from Cal Fire, the Big Pine Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the scene and extinguished the fire before it spread to surrounding areas. Deputies collected evidence related to the incident at the site.
