A forestry fire engineer was arrested in California Friday, charged with starting five wildfires from Aug. 15 to Sept. 14 in Sonoma County.

Law enforcement officers with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection arrested Robert Hernandez, 38, on suspicion he engaged in arson in areas around Windsor, Geyserville and Healdsburg, Cal Fire said in a release.

Mr. Hernandez, a Healdsburg resident who worked on fire engines and water tanks during emergency responses, allegedly sparked the fires while off duty.

The five blazes burned up less than an acre of wildland, Cal Fire said. 

“I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of [the Forestry and Fire Protection  Department],” Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler said.

Mr. Hernandez is in custody at the Sonoma County Jail. He has been charged with five counts of arson on forest land, according to jail records. Each count carries a sentence of two, four or six years upon conviction, according to the California Penal Code.

Mr. Hernandez is being held on $2 million bail. He’s due in court Tuesday.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.