By Gina Yarbrough
CARLSBAD–Investigators arrested a 49-year-old woman Friday afternoon in connection with a brush fire that forced more than 200 homes to evacuate in Carlsbad on Wednesday, according to the Carlsbad Police Department.
The suspect, Dawn Ann Crawford was arrested with the assistance of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in the 100 block of Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos. Crawford, a resident of San Marcos and Carlsbad is experiencing homelessness, according to Carlsbad police.
Investigators found evidence that led to Crawford. She was charged with arson of a structure and arson of property. She has been booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
On January 20, police and fire personnel responded to reports of multiple active fires in the 4000 block of Park Drive in Carlsbad.
When police officers arrived, they located several fires, dubbed the Park fire, in brushy and residential areas.
The Carlsbad Fire Department, Oceanside Fire Department, Encinitas Fire Department, San Marcos Fire Department, San Diego Fire Department, Cal-Fire San Diego and San Diego County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fast-moving blaze. Fire crews were able to contain and extinguish the blaze. No injuries and structural damages were reported.
The investigation is ongoing.
