A husband and wife from Oregon were arrested after being caught driving a fake fire engine within the evacuation zone of the devastating Palisades fire in Los Angeles County. Authorities identified the pair as 31-year-old Dustin Nehl and 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl, who were detained for impersonating firefighters and unlawfully entering a restricted area.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) confirmed that charges are being prepared against the couple, which may include felony counts for their actions. Investigators revealed that Dustin Nehl has a criminal history in Oregon, including arson and criminal mischief. He previously served five years in prison for setting multiple fires at a golf course, a park, and a water facility between 2013 and 2017.
The couple’s activities raised alarms on Saturday when patrolling officers spotted a suspicious fire truck in the Palisades fire zone. The truck bore markings of the supposed “Roaring River Fire Department,” a non-existent agency, and was equipped with emergency lights, California plates, and an American flag. Deputies stopped the vehicle, uncovering that the Nehls were dressed in yellow turnout gear, Cal Fire-branded t-shirts, and carried radios and helmets.
The fire engine, officials later discovered, had been purchased at an auction and previously belonged to a Northern California fire department before being decommissioned over 30 years ago. Photographs of the vehicle were shared by the LASD before it was impounded.
The Nehls admitted to being in the evacuation zone the day before their arrest, raising further questions about their intent. While a motive has not been disclosed, officials are scrutinizing the case, given Dustin Nehl’s history of arson and the couple’s proximity to areas tied to environmental activism in Oregon, including regions associated with the infamous eco-terrorist group "The Family." This group carried out arson attacks in the 1990s and early 2000s, targeting facilities such as a horse slaughterhouse in Oregon and a wild horse corral in California.
The ongoing Palisades fire, which has burned over 23,700 acres and forced thousands to evacuate, has prompted officials to take a hard stance against criminal activity in affected areas. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned those exploiting wildfire disasters, stating, “Preying on vulnerable communities during crises is reprehensible. These individuals must face the full extent of the law.”
Authorities noted that looting and fraudulent activity have increased in evacuation zones. Last week alone, nine people were charged with looting, with additional arrests expected as investigations continue.
Adding to the tragedy, it was revealed that the Nehls recently lost their infant daughter, who passed away in December 2024 due to health complications. This personal hardship casts a shadow over the perplexing actions that led to their arrest.
The Palisades fire is currently 59% contained, but its toll has been devastating, with over 12,000 structures destroyed and 27 fatalities reported. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activity in evacuation areas and have vowed to pursue severe penalties against offenders.
