Calif. man set own fire to save pot plants from wildfire, officials say

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. -- A Lake County, California resident was arrested over the weekend for allegedly setting a fire at his residence in a tactic designed to protect his marijuana plants from an encroaching wildfire, according to CBS Sacramento.

On Sunday around 5:45 p.m., officers arrested Juan RamosSilva, who authorities say admitted to starting a fire on his property in an attempt to conduct a "controlled burn" so the Jerusalem Fire would not reach his residence, and his precious pot plants, reports the station.

Deputies noticed the fire close to their location and responded to Silva's residence, where they discovered a large marijuana grow site within 50 feet of the residence, says the station -- and several witnesses told deputies that Silva had started the fire.

Silva told Lake County deputies he had been a firefighter in Mexico, and that he started the fire to protect his home from the fire; however, deputies believe Silva started the fire behind his marijuana grow to protect his pot crop, reports the CBS Sacramento.

According to the station, Silva was booked into Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility on charges of causing a fire to a structure and/or forest.