Sierra County Charges Camptonville Man in Attempted Arson Case

CAMPTONVILLE — Sierra County authorities have charged Tyler Joseph Petros of Camptonville with felony attempted arson. The incident occurred on Thursday, May 7, along Mountain House Road just above Camptonville, but within Sierra County.

According to Sheriff Mike Fisher, a forester from a local company encountered Petros using a lighter to set vegetation on fire. Fisher says Petros told the forester he was lighting a forest fire, then challenged the forester to a fight. The forester left the scene and called law enforcement.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement, Sierra County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and CalFire law enforcement responded to the call. The agencies tracked down Petros and made an arrest. Investigators later processed the area and recovered evidence of burned leaves.

Petros was arraigned after the arrest, with the judge granting a bail enhancement request. At a preliminary hearing, the judge found probable cause to move the case forward.

Sheriff Fisher described the case in an interview with the Mountain Messenger. He noted that no significant fire was started, but physical evidence showed the attempt to ignite one. The case will now proceed, either through a plea agreement or trial.