Professor Gary Maynard Indicted in Arson Spree Behind Dixie Firelines

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A college professor turned firebug has been indicted on multiple federal counts after allegedly setting fires directly behind firefighting crews battling the monstrous Dixie Fire in northern California. Gary Stephen Maynard, 47, of San Jose, was hit with a five-count indictment by a federal grand jury on charges of arson to federal property and setting timber afire, authorities announced today.

According to court documents, Maynard conducted a deliberate arson spree in July and August across the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Lassen National Forest—areas already under siege by the 960,000-acre Dixie Fire, the second-largest wildfire in California history. The fires he allegedly ignited—including the Cascade Fire on July 20, the Everitt Fire on July 21, the Ranch Fire and Conard Fire on August 7—were strategically placed behind active firelines, endangering the lives of federal and state firefighters.

Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert laid out the severity of the charges: each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Arson to federal property also carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years behind bars. Prosecutors argue Maynard’s actions weren’t random but calculated, exploiting the chaos of a historic wildfire to launch his own destructive campaign.

The investigation, led by the U.S. Forest Service, involved a multi-agency dragnet that included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, CalFire, the California Highway Patrol, and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department. Their joint effort traced ignition points, analyzed burn patterns, and ultimately linked Maynard to the fires through forensic and surveillance evidence gathered in remote, rugged terrain.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Anderson is prosecuting the case, which has drawn outrage from firefighting communities and federal land managers. Setting fires near active wildfire zones isn’t just reckless—it’s a direct attack on public safety and emergency response infrastructure. Federal prosecutors are treating it as such.

The charges against Gary Stephen Maynard are only allegations at this stage. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A federal court will determine sentencing if convicted, weighing statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. For now, the message from the DOJ is clear: exploit a disaster, and the full force of federal law will come down on you.