CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Makes Felony Arrest
10/13/2026 "Media Release" - CAL FIRE/Butte County
Butte County - A vehicle fire in an apartment complex parking lot in south Oroville has led to the arrest of an Oroville man.
The fire was reported around 4:45 AM on Thursday, October 1 in the 3300 block of Lincoln Boulevard south of Oro Dam Boulevard. Firefighters from CAL FIRE Oroville City Fire Station 91 responded and quickly contained the fire, which threatened other vehicles parked nearby.
CAL FIRE officers responded to investigate the fire's origin and cause. Through the investigation and multiple witness interviews, officers determined the cause of the vehicle fire to be a malicious act of arson and identified the suspect as Bruce Edward Watson.
Multiple search warrants and an arrest warrant for Watson and his residence were authorized. On October 9, Watson was taken into custody in a joint operation with CAL FIRE officers and the Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) SWAT Team.
Watson was booked into the Butte County Jail on the following charges:
• Penal Code 451(d) – Arson to Property – Felony
• Penal Code 453(a) – Possession or Manufacture of a Combustible or Incendiary Device
• Health and Safety Code 11350 – Possession of a Controlled Substance
CAL FIRE would like to thank BCSO and the Oroville Police Department for their assistance in this investigation and their continued support.
Arson endangers lives, property, and natural resources. Anyone with information related to suspicious fire activity is encouraged to contact the CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department Prevention Bureau at 530-538-7888.
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