Arson and negligently caused fires receive priority for law enforcement action, which typically results in criminal or civil proceedings against the responsible person(s). Such proceedings lead to fines, fire suppression cost collection, probation, jail/prison terms. Law enforcement action is a critical fire prevention tool.

Peace officers from the San Luis Obispo Unit are routinely called upon to conduct serial arson investigations, perform security functions for special operations and emergency incidents, conduct fireworks , and fire extinguisher investigations, as well as disposal of explosives. Our Investigators also  assist fire and law enforcement agencies with incident investigations. These peace officers are subject to call statewide.

Due to the complexities of the emergency incidents, the unit’s law enforcement component maintains close working relationships with the district attorney’s office, law enforcement agencies of all venues, and working task groups such as gang, juvenile and narcotics task forces. Additionally the unit’s peace officers can be called upon to perform general law enforcement duties statewide during times of disaster and major emergencies

To enforce state fire and forest laws, Cal Fire Law Enforcement officers are trained and certified in accordance with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The Department's 300 plus officers are busy year round investigating fire causes, interviewing witnesses, issuing citations and setting up surveillance operations. The Office of the State Fire Marshal Arson and Bomb Specialists provide fire and bomb investigation services to state-owned facilities, and provide assistance to local government fire and law agencies. The Department's investigators have a very successful conviction rate.

The CAL FIRE Arson Hotline is maintained by the Department's Sacramento Law Enforcement section, which also processes requests for payment of arson rewards. Rewards of up to $10,000 are available for information regarding wildland fires within State jurisdiction. Depending on the magnitude of the fire, enhanced rewards of up to $25,000 or higher may be available.