Man sparks 36-acre wildfire driving truck with missing tire, California officials say

A man accused of sparking a wildfire by driving on a missing tire faces charges, California fire officials reported.

The Flora Fire, which burned 36 acres in the span of four days near Geyserville in Sonoma County, is now 100% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

Justin Roy Jones, 49, was arrested Wednesday, July 25, on charges of unlawfully and recklessly starting a fire and violating probation, the agency said in a news release.

Jones drove 4 miles on Chalk Line Road with a front tire missing on his pickup truck on Tuesday, July 24, fire officials said.

Sparks from the wheel rim dragging on the pavement ignited three separate fires, which threatened multiple structures and started the Flora Fire, officials said.

Geyserville is about a 75-mile drive northwest from San Francisco.

This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 9:53 AM with the headline "Man sparks 36-acre wildfire driving truck with missing tire, California officials say."