[01-18-2025] Los Angeles County, CA – Convicted Arsonist And Wife Arrested For Impersonating Firefighters In Palisades Fire Zone

[01-18-2025] Convicted Arsonist And Wife Arrested For Impersonating Firefighters In Palisades Fire ZoneA convicted arsonist and his wife were arrested for impersonating firefighters to gain access to the Palisades Fire evacuation zone in Los Angeles on Saturday morning, January 18, 2025.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, 31-year-old Dustin Nehl from Oregon and his wife, 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl, were arrested for unauthorized entry into an evacuation zone by impersonating firefighters. They admitted they had gained access the day before. Officials reportedly planned to ask the LA County district attorney’s office to charge the pair.

The driver pulled up to the Palisades Fire checkpoint, where emergency workers were sifting through the wreckage. He was reportedly wearing a yellow firefighter uniform and driving a full-size red fire engine with emergency lights, California license plates, and an American flag. He told the troops manning the perimeter that he was a volunteer firefighter.

The truck, equipped with firefighting safety gears and radios tuned to frequencies used by the departments fighting the fire, was originally from a Northern California fire department before being decommissioned 30 years ago. It was reportedly acquired at an auction.

An officer at the checkpoint noticed something off with the truck’s “Roaring River Fire Department” markings and had the man’s Oregon driver’s license verified. They discovered the man’s 2017 five-year-imprisonment for a series of arson-related crimes in Woodburn, Oregon, including fires set at a golf course, park, and water facility. The fire department in the truck’s insignia also does not exist.

Officials said Nehl pretended to be a firefighter to gain free lodging at a Holiday Inn Express. While they have not been accused of theft from unoccupied homes in the area, authorities found tools that could be used for burglary and a map of burn areas inside the fire truck.

The arrests follow a similar incident involving Ivan Cedric Reed, who was arrested on Clifftop Way in Malibu Tuesday evening. He was charged with impersonating a firefighter and receiving stolen property in the Palisades Fire zone, among other charges.

Countless firefighters from fire agencies around the world are in Los Angeles County fighting the ongoing wildfires.

Call The Wildfire Lawyers California Relies On

Are you affected by the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and other wildfires? Families and entire towns are traumatized when caught in such a calamity. Please get in touch with our California wildfire injury attorneys if you have been hurt or damaged in one. We’ll go over your legal rights and how to pursue monetary damages for your losses.

Wildfires are usually caused by human negligence, such as by utility companies. Our wildfire attorneys can help you fight back if you were hurt or sustained property damage as a result of someone else’s carelessness. With our decades of combined experience, we have helped clients recover more than $500 million for victims of wildfires around the state. The team of wildfire lawyers, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., can assist you and your loved ones in overcoming the terrible losses brought on by California wildfires.

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What To Do When Bringing A California Wildfire Damage And Injury Claim

The scope and magnitude of the devastation brought on by a wildfire can overwhelm you. You might have lost your business, your house, and your vehicles. Nonetheless, you can file a claim for damage, injury, or even death to get monetary compensation for your losses. Before submitting a claim for fire damage and injuries, you should do the following:

  • Get in touch with our wildfire injury lawyers right away. We’ll build you a strong case to prevent the insurance provider from rejecting or postponing your claim.
  • Collect every piece of evidence that shows what you did the day or night the fire happened. If the insurance company can demonstrate that you were at fault for your injuries and property losses, your claim may be rejected. If your insurer finds that your damages have nothing to do with the fire, it may also reject your claim.
  • Gather all of the bills and receipts related to the wildfire. These consist of bills from house repair contractors, cleaning service receipts, temporary housing agreements, rental car bills, and debris removal expenses.
  • Keep a record of everything, including any damages and injuries you sustain. Maintain a copy of your treatment plans, doctor’s notes, and medical records. If it’s safe to do so, go back to your house and record the damage to your property using pictures or videos.
  • Make a documented list of everything you lost as a result of the wildfire. Provide a list of lost income and personal belongings, together with the dates and prices of purchase. When submitting a claim linked to a wildfire, having a record of losses can be helpful. This document acts as proof of the harm done.

Unfortunately, dealing with insurance companies may be difficult, so taking these precautions is crucial to safeguarding your rights. You can seek financial compensation and navigate this process with the assistance of the top wildfire insurance claim lawyers.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Wildfire Injury Statistics

Millions of Californians have been negatively impacted by wildfires in recent years, with many having to start over after suffering extensive property loss and injuries.

Forty-seven people lost their lives in wildfires that destroyed 1.5 million acres in 2017. By 2019, 277,000 acres had been burned by fires, forcing widespread evacuations. Meanwhile, Cal Fire recorded 7,477 wildfires in 2022 that destroyed 876 structures, burned 331,360 acres, and claimed nine lives. Major flames are raging in California as of January 2025, including the Palisades and Eaton Canyon Fires.

Wildfires continue to pose a significant risk due to climate change, intensifying droughts, and extreme weather. To safeguard homes, businesses, and lives, fire prevention, emergency planning, and appropriate insurance are essential.

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