BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - A vegetation fire was reported to the CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department Emergency Command Center at 3:47 pm on Wednesday, July 1. When the first engine arrived at scene of the “Swedes Fire” in Bangor, fire personnel saw an unknown female leaving the area on foot.               

As firefighters were controlling the fire and holding it to a 3/4 of an acre, investigators arrived and began a search for the female subject. She was quickly found by fire personnel in the back of a department crew bus, dressed in a CAL FIRE uniform and gathering personal belongings of firefighters.

While being questioned and placed under arrest, the female gave officers several false names. She was transported to Butte County Jail, where corrections officers positively identified her as Nicole Carol Bunch, who was previously wanted for two felony warrants in Butte County.

Bunch, age 33, of Bangor, was booked into the jail on one count of Penal Code 451 (c), arson to forest land; one count of Penal Code 538, impersonating a firefighter; one count of Penal Code 148, resisting or delaying arrest; as well as the outstanding warrants; one count of Penal Code 273, child cruelty with possibility of injury or death; and Failure To Appear for PC 273.

Bunch is being held at the Butte County Jail in Lieu of $90,000 bail.

Further charges may be forthcoming pending the result of a full investigation.