Azusa police have arrested 39-year-old homeless arson suspect Jose Carranza-Escobar just steps from a small brush fire that they say he admitted to lighting as Los Angeles battles multiple large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)

The foothills outside town are a high-risk fire area and also have homeless encampments, where fires have broken out before, he said.

“We’re constantly conducting enforcement operations in that area,” he said. “Residents are obviously on edge when there are major fires.”

Strong winds are expected to return to the region this week which could fuel the existing fires as crews continue to fight them. They can both fan flames and knock down trees and branches that can burn.

“Azusa PD urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to affect the county,” Landeros said in a statement over the weekend. “We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires.”

Last week, another group of Los Angeles residents stopped a homeless man seen carrying a blowtorch. He was taken into custody, but police said they didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with arson.

Video of that incident shows him holding a torch head and a yellow fuel tank before at least five residents surrounded him and tackled him to the ground.