Santa Barbara, California – Santa Barbara County deputies arrested an armed suspect while firefighters worked to contain a brush fire he allegedly set.

The incident began on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at approximately 5:15 p.m. Deputies and State Parks officers responded to El Capitan Canyon Resort for reports of a man acting strangely.

The suspect, 40-year-old Simon Khalili of Woodland Hills, attempted to flee in a vehicle but got stuck on a dirt access road. He then ran into a canyon on foot.

Soon after, a fire broke out in the area where Khalili had fled.

Deputies were told Khalili might be armed with a sword. Fire crews and deputies temporarily pulled back to allow County Air Support to drop water on the fire.

Deputies then created a force protection plan. They shielded firefighters, allowing them to safely approach the flames while the suspect remained at large.

A Sheriff’s K9 unit and Air Support assisted in the effort. At about 7:30 p.m., Khalili surrendered and was taken into custody.

The fire’s forward progress was stopped at 7:41 p.m., after burning about 1.1 acres.

State Parks booked Khalili at the Main Jail on charges including felony arson, trespassing, brandishing a weapon, and negligent fire setting. His bail is set at $75,000.

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