Fire starter released

A man who set several grass fires in Bonita was sentenced Dec. 2 to 253 days in jail which he has already served and was released to a residential treatment program.

Edwin Fisk, 44, was placed on three years probation by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Garry Haehnle, who gave him credit for time served, and fined him $1,379, according to court records.

Fisk was arrested July 29 by sheriff’s deputies from the Imperial Beach substation who were investigating a series of small fires that broke out in the creek bed near Willow and Bonita Roads between April 29 and May 1.

The most serious fire occurred on May 24. It was a brush fire behind a liquor store in the 4200 block of Bonita Road which is a short distance from the creek bed where the other fires broke out. It was determined to have been set deliberately.

Fisk was charged with two arsons, four attempted arsons, but he pleaded guilty to two counts of a lesser charge of unlawfully causing a fire. The arson charges were dismissed.

Haehnle ordered him to not drink alcohol and avoid bars or places where alcohol is the chief item sold. Fisk was ordered to pay $1,433 in probation costs. He will live at the treatment program site in San Diego.

The two victims were determined to be one property owner and the community of Bonita with no stated amount of damage since the fires burned grass and other vegetation only. No restitution was ordered.