El Dorado County CA (Sept 20, 2024) – New details have emerged regarding the arrest of 48-year-old Jason David Robinette, who is charged with starting the Crozier Fire that burned 1,960 acres in El Dorado County. Robinette was taken into custody by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) on September 16, 2024, and booked at 9:38 p.m. into the El Dorado County Jail.
According to official booking records, Robinette, a white male standing 6’1” tall and weighing 160 pounds, was arrested at 2055 Forni Road in Placerville. He faces four felony counts of arson (Penal Code 451(C)), specifically for setting fire to structures and forest land. Each count is associated with intentionally starting a fire, resulting in the destruction of natural resources and property.
Robinette’s total bail is set at $200,000, and he remains in custody as the investigation continues. He is being held at the El Dorado County Jail, and legal proceedings are expected to commence soon, with the potential for substantial prison time if convicted.
The charges stem from the Crozier Fire, which prompted widespread evacuations and significant firefighting efforts before it was contained. Law enforcement agencies, including CAL FIRE Law Enforcement, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Forest Service, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a collaborative investigation that concluded the fire was deliberately set.
Robinette’s arrest marks a critical step in the investigation as officials work to ensure accountability for the devastation caused by the fire. The community, still reeling from the disaster, will continue to monitor the legal case as it develops.
