Fourth of July Quiet for City, Busy for County

A description of the vehicle was given by the witness and broadcasted throughout law enforcement. The vehicle was found shortly after the broadcast at the Ronald Regan (118) Freeway and Glenoaks Boulevard exit in Pacoima, Spencer said.

Lin On Chu, 32, of Rosemead, and Ayane Nakai, 19, of South Gate, were arrested on suspicion of unlawfully starting a fire and possession of illegal fireworks.

This charge is a felony that carries a sentence in state prison if convicted, Spencer said.

Chu and Nakai have been released in lieu of $20,000 bail. They were scheduled to be formally charged Thursday. The fact that the deputies were in the area and responded quickly was lucky, Spencer said. "It is a high fire danger time, lighting off fireworks in a forest area is reckless," he added.

Not all fires in recent weeks have been started by fireworks. On June 29 half an acre was lost to fire in the 400 block of Inverness Drive. The fire was caused not by recklessness but by a home owner complying with legal requirements to clear brush from his home.

LACoFD fire stations 11, 12, 19, 63 and 82 responded to the brush fire. It was under control in 15 minutes, LACoFD Capt. Mark Savage said.

It appeared the fire was started by a spark from a gardener's weed trimmer, Station No. 82 firefighter Burnett Burton said.