By admin 
The arsonist responsible for igniting the Tiger Fire that scorched 118 acres and forced evacuations in Amador County last year was convicted on July 13, the Amador County District Attorney announced Wednesday.
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Jacob Heitz, 37, of Pine Grove, was convicted after entering a no-contest plea for sparking the Tiger Fire on Tiger Creek Road in Pioneer on Aug. 8, 2025. The blaze went on to burn for approximately 44 hours, seriously injuring one woman and prompting mandatory evacuations along Tiger Creek Road, Stephanie Way, Black Prince Road East and Black Prince Road, according to previous Bee reporting.
After a months-long investigation during which investigators said they found a lighter at the scene, Heitz was arrested on Feb. 20 and booked into the Amador County Jail on charges of arson.
On July 13, Heitz was convicted by a no-contest plea and sentenced to two years in state prison.
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He was also ordered to register as an arson offender and to pay restitution — the amount of which “will be further determined,” according to a social media statement from the Amador County District Attorney.
Heitz’s conviction is a “serious felony,” the District Attorney said.
Cal Fire officers made 142 arson arrests last year and urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the Arson Tip Line at 800-468-4408.
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