Fillmore Man Arrested on Arson Allegations After Santa Clara River Bottom Fire
FILLMORE, CA — June 22, 2026 — A brush fire that swept through approximately 1.5 acres of the Santa Clara River bottom
on the outskirts of the City of Fillmore on June 21 led to the arrest of
Fillmore resident Arturo Amaya, 40, on suspicion of arson.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Jarrod Foote, the
fire was reported “at approximately 1:16 p.m.” VCSD deputies assigned to the Fillmore
Station immediately responded to the riverbed and “began evacuating people from
nearby encampments” as flames spread through the dry vegetation.
Fire crews from the Fillmore Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department
arrived within minutes and launched suppression efforts that included the Ventura
County Aviation Unit conducting aerial water drops over the burning area.
While firefighters worked to contain the blaze, patrol deputies began interviewing
people and gathering information about how it may have started. Their investigation
soon focused on Amaya identified as “a local resident who regularly visits the river
bottom.”
Pursuant to their investigation, deputies soon determined they had probable cause to
arrest Amaya in connection with the fire. Shortly thereafter, they made contact with
Amaya and when they attempted to take him into custody, he “resisted, obstructed or
delayed” deputies as they carried out their duties.
Amaya was ultimately subdued, handcuffed, and transported to Ventura County Jail,
where he was booked on suspicion of arson, and resisting arrest. He remains in custody
on a no-bail hold.
– By F. Scott Faulkner
