What was once a sleepy Woodland Hills street has turned into a nightly fire watch, neighbors say, after a resident allegedly began firing a flare gun into nearby yards and brush. The late-night blasts, they claim, have jolted people awake and sent them racing outside to stomp out tiny flames before they turn into something far worse.
“We’re living in fear,” one neighbor told reporters, describing repeated nights when a man allegedly shot flares and “screamed through the night.” As reported by CBS Los Angeles, residents shared video and first-hand accounts of glowing streaks arcing over fences and into dry vegetation.
Neighbors Say Flares Sparked Small Blazes
According to neighbors who spoke with CBS Los Angeles, some of the flares landed in piles of dry leaves, briefly igniting small fires. Residents say they rushed to douse the flames before they could spread, all while worrying about how easily embers can travel in canyon-adjacent terrain. The outlet reported that there was no indication yet of any arrests connected to the incidents.
Why A Flare Gun Is Dangerous Here
Flares and fireworks are widely recognized as serious ignition risks, especially when the landscape is parched. State fire officials warn that pyrotechnics can quickly trigger wildland or structural fires in dry conditions. Cal Fire’s Ready for Wildfire guidance notes that fireworks and similar devices are a common cause of wildfire starts and urges the public to avoid unpermitted pyrotechnics and follow local restrictions. In Southern California’s tinder-dry months, even a brief ember can be enough to cause a major emergency.
Possible Legal Exposure
Starting a fire is not just reckless; it can be criminal. In California, willfully and maliciously setting fire to property can be prosecuted as felony arson under Penal Code §451, while recklessly causing a fire falls under Penal Code §452. Depending on the circumstances, penalties can range from misdemeanor charges for minor property burning up to multi-year state prison terms when people or inhabited buildings are placed in danger.
Past Incidents And Local Frustration
Residents say this is not the first time the Valley has faced unnerving fire threats. In January 2025, people in Woodland Hills detained a man they said was trying to set trash and discarded Christmas trees on fire with a blowtorch, an incident covered by FOX 11 Los Angeles. Episodes like that, along with other scares around the region, have neighbors calling for quicker, more forceful responses from both police and fire agencies whenever suspicious pyrotechnic activity is reported.
For now, the Woodland Hills residents say they are demanding a thorough investigation before a small flare turns into a full-blown disaster. Neighbors who recorded video told reporters they plan to keep their cameras rolling and their eyes on the street until they see official action.
