A man has been arrested for allegedly starting the enormous Line Fire in San Bernardino County, threatening the lives of residents in communities such as Arrowbear Lake, Forrest Falls, Running Springs, and more.
With at least two other significant fires across Southern California burning out of control, learning that someone may have intentionally started the blaze begs the question - What makes somebody do that?
Other wildfires over the years in SoCal have been arson, like the 2006 Esperanza Fire in Cabazon that killed five firefighters, for which arsonist Raymond Oyler was sentenced to death.
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Forensic psychologist N.G. Berrill, who has treated arsonists, says some do it for money, some because they're suffering from psychosis, and others have a fascination with fire and take pleasure in watching things burn.
"This fascination with fire is often found early on in their lives where kids are just very attracted to fire or get a thrill out of starting fires," said Berrill.
He says it's hard to identify an arsonist because there are no obvious behaviors that they are willing to exhibit in public with people around.
Berrill calls it "Kind of like a dirty little secret for them."
Berrill said, "Most people would be a little bit alarmed if you were to open up and say, you know, there are times when I'm feeling sad or times when I'm frustrated that I like to set fires."
He says that sometimes, arsonists will even become volunteer firefighters, setting blazes themselves to become part of the heroics associated with putting fires out.
Whatever the means or reasons for individuals' affinity for fire, Berrill says it is near impossible to point them out in a crowd. He suggests that states create an arsonist registry similar to the sex offender registry.
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