By admin 
Cal Fire law enforcement officers arrested 30-year-old Jacob Williams Hoskins on Sunday on suspicion of starting Tuolumne County’s Dove Fire, which has burned through 225 acres in the greater downtown of Sonora and is 25% contained.
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On Sunday, dispatchers received several reports of a man wearing a straw hat running from the area where the fire started, according to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office. He was identified as Hoskins, whom deputies recognized based on prior law enforcement contacts. He is a Sonora resident experiencing homelessness, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
As the investigation progressed, a sheriff’s deputy located Hoskins at Rotary Park in Sonora. He was wearing the same clothing, including the straw hat, seen in photos and videos from the time of the fire, according to the office. He was arrested on the charge of recklessly causing a fire.
“The vigilance of community members who promptly reported suspicious activity and captured photos and videos of Hoskins proved invaluable to the investigation and ultimately contributed to his identification and arrest,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its press release.
Cal Fire said it’s important to take pictures and write down information if you see a suspicious person, vehicle or activity before, during or after a fire. Anyone with information related to the cause of a fire is encouraged to contact the Cal Fire Arson Hotline at 800-468-4408.
Cal Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras, Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced, the Sonora Police Department and Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office all collaborated on the investigation and arrest, according to the Cal Fire release.
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Dove Fire 25% contained
Crews worked overnight to suppress the fire, according to Cal Fire. Efforts will continue Tuesday to widen and strengthen the fire’s perimeter. As firefighters work to contain the fire, parts of Sonora and Jamestown are still under mandatory evacuation:
- Golden Dove Lane
- Silver Pine Drive
- Stockton Road from HWY 108 to Ponderosa Drive
- Southgate Drive
- Hill Street
- Sonora Ave
- Fair Street
- Gerrymander Ave
- West Sunset Street
- Symons Lane
Other areas are under evacuation warnings:
- McKibbon Drive
- Martha Lane
- Outlook Drive
- Crooked Lane
- West Lytton Street
- Olive Street
- Maple Street
- High Street
- Bulwer Street
- Toby Street
- June Street
- West Church Lane
- Knowles Hill Drive
- South side of Mono Way from Greenley Road to Washington Street
Those evacuating can seek shelter at the Tuolumne County Resilience Center, 18241 Bay Ave.
Court Fire 100% contained
The Court Fire, which began Monday afternoon in Sonora, is now 100% contained. It burned 12 acres. All evacuations have been lifted and the Sanguinetti Loop is open. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office said to be careful traveling around the area because fire personnel are actively working. The cause is still under investigation.
This story was originally published July 28, 2026 at 10:04 AM with the headline “Arson suspect arrested in Tuolumne County’s Dove Fire. Court Fire 100% contained.”
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