Authorities in Southern California have detained a potential arson suspect linked to one of the numerous deadly wildfires that are currently burning, but it turns out the claim that the individual started the fire is not supported by evidence, according to officials.

As per a tweet from the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday night, a report was received around 4:30 p.m. PT regarding a “male stating a suspect was trying to start a fire” near the 21700 block of Ybarra Road.

This call was made in close proximity to the Kenneth Fire, which ignited in the Woodland Hills area of the San Fernando Valley on Thursday.

The suspect was taken into custody and sent to the Topanga Station, according to the LAPD’s post.

During a press conference on Friday morning, Police Assistant Chief Dominic Choi stated that local residents detained the man, alleging he was “trying to ignite a fire in the neighborhood.”

Following interviews and evidence assessment, Choi informed reporters that officers found no reasonable cause to arrest the man over any fire-related offenses.

Instead, he was arrested on a felony probation violation, a spokesperson for LAPD told YSL News via phone.

Authorities have not disclosed the individual’s identity or the nature of the violation.

Choi noted that the investigation is still active.

Firefighters are actively working to control several raging wildfires that started earlier in the week, which have destroyed over 10,000 homes, businesses, vehicles, and various structures as of Friday.

The initial fires—Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset—have consumed thousands of acres and continue to spread due to low humidity and dry vegetation, according to officials. Prior to the fires igniting, the National Weather Service issued its highest alert for extreme fire risks in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

As of Friday, the official cause of the wildfires is still being investigated; however, the LAPD’s recent statement is the first indication that suspected arson has been linked to any of the ongoing fires.

Current evacuation warnings for the Kenneth Fire

The Kenneth Fire ignited Thursday afternoon and rapidly expanded to nearly 1,000 acres within hours, as reported by Cal Fire.

By Friday morning, the fire stood at 35% containment.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted as of Friday for areas affected by the Kenneth Fire in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including regions from just east of Palo Comado Canyon Road to Hidden Hills on the west, as noted by Cal Fire.

However, evacuation warnings are still in place for the Kenneth Fire, encompassing areas from Vanowen south to Burbank Boulevard and east to East Valley Circle Boulevard.

Initially, evacuation orders were issued due to the Kenneth Fire, but these were lifted as the fire’s forward progress halted, as reported by Cal Fire.

Check the interactive map regarding Kenneth Fire evacuation warnings on the Cal Fire website.

Status of wildfires in the Los Angeles area

As of early Friday, Cal Fire reported that containment levels were 3% for the Eaton Fire, 8% for the Palisades Fire, 37% for the Hurst Fire, and 75% for the Lidia Fire.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner has confirmed receiving reports of 10 deaths related to the fires. Sheriff Robert Luna mentioned that the death toll might change as teams start house-to-house searches for remains when safe to do so.

This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a state of emergency as over 100,000 residents were ordered to evacuate from their homes. In response, President Joe Biden granted a significant disaster declaration on Wednesday.

Additional updates have been made to this story.