California hikers confront alleged arsonist on video

Incident Summary - An alleged arsonist started a fire on a popular hiking trail in Los Angeles [1] - Hikers confronted and detained the suspect until police arrived [1][4] - The suspect was arrested and booked on one count of arson [4] Environmental & Safety Concerns - The fire rapidly engulfed a 20-30 foot tree [3] - The trail sees an estimated 2 million visitors per year and borders several homes, posing a significant risk [3] - Fire trucks and a helicopter were deployed to extinguish the flames [5] Broader Context & Impact - The incident occurred amidst heightened fire anxiety in Los Angeles following catastrophic blazes earlier in the year [5] - Previous fires caused an estimated $250 billion in damages, killing dozens and destroying thousands of homes and businesses [5] - State fire officials estimate that 10-15% of wildfires are the result of arson [6]