Delusional? Madman? Martyr? CONFIRMED ARSON IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

Runyon Canyon Fire: A Near-Miss or a Warning Sign?

By Shane Shipman | August 15, 2025

It was a typical Sunday morning in Runyon Canyon Park, the Hollywood Hills’ go-to spot for hikers, dog-walkers, and influencers. But on July 13, 2025, the tranquility shattered when a palm tree burst into flames, threatening to ignite the dry brush of this fire-prone park. Thanks to quick-thinking hikers, the blaze was stopped in its tracks—but the story of Andrew Ocalliham, the man accused of starting it, raises questions that linger like smoke in the air. Was this a random act, or is there more to uncover?

A Fire Averted, a Suspect Detained

At 11:47 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) raced to 3026 Runyon Canyon Road after reports of a brush fire. It started with a single palm tree, but flames quickly spread to a quarter-acre of brush. With 53 firefighters and aerial water drops, the blaze was out by 12:25 p.m.—a minor incident compared to January’s Sunset Fire, which scorched 43 acres nearby. But what makes this story gripping isn’t the fire’s size; it’s how it was stopped.

Hikers, including former University of Kentucky football player Scott Mitchell and fashion designer Davanh DiMarco, spotted a man—later identified as 43-year-old Andrew Wistic Ocalliham—fleeing a grassy area just before the tree ignited. “The guy starts running off, and within 15 seconds, the whole tree is fully engulfed in flames,” Mitchell told ABC7. DiMarco, recording on her phone, captured Ocalliham admitting, “I did. You’re right,” when asked if he started the fire.

[](https://abc7.com/post/los-angeles-hikers-confront-alleged-arsonist-before-arrest-runyon-canyon-video-shows/17125585/)

The Critical Moment: Mitchell chased Ocalliham down, and other hikers, including witness Isabelle Zakheim, surrounded him until park rangers arrived. Their swift action prevented a potential catastrophe in a park still scarred by January’s wildfire.

Ocalliham was arrested by LAPD’s Hollywood Division, charged with felony arson of forest land, and held on $75,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty, but his case, now winding through LA County Superior Court, holds clues that demand a closer look.

[](https://beverlypress.com/2025/07/man-faces-felony-charge-for-runyon-canyon-arson-fire/)[](https://www.leadstory.com/v/hikers-confront-arsonist-who-allegedly-started-a-fire-in-la-202571730)

Who Is Andrew Ocalliham?

Ocalliham, 43, is a transient with a string of misdemeanor arrests since 2023 across West Hollywood, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and the San Fernando Valley. These petty crimes—none tied to arson—suggest a life on the margins, possibly marked by mental health struggles or substance abuse.

[](https://beverlypress.com/2025/07/man-faces-felony-charge-for-runyon-canyon-arson-fire/)

During the confrontation, Ocalliham claimed he was a “fire marshal” conducting a “controlled burn,” a statement witnesses called “nonsense.” No badge, no proof—just a man with a blowtorch and a story that doesn’t add up. Was this a delusion, a calculated lie, or something else? Details remain sparse pending his trial. His erratic behavior points to mental instability, but without a psychological evaluation, it’s too early to say.

A Near-Miss with Bigger Implications

The fire’s small scale—contained to a quarter-acre—belies its potential. Runyon Canyon sits in LA’s wildfire-prone hills, where dry brush and strong winds can turn a spark into a disaster. The Sunset Fire, just six months earlier, destroyed homes and forced evacuations nearby. Hikers like DiMarco admitted to feeling “anger” and “PTSD” from that event, spurring their quick response. “We didn’t want that to happen again,” she told ABC7.

(https://abc7.com/post/los-angeles-hikers-confront-alleged-arsonist-before-arrest-runyon-canyon-video-shows/17125585/)[](https://deadline.com/2025/07/runyon-canyon-arson-fire-caught-1236457319/)

But here’s where it gets murky. Why was Ocalliham carrying a blowtorch? Why Runyon Canyon, a high-profile park teeming with people? I checked LAFD and Cal Fire records for similar incidents, but no clear pattern of small-scale arsons emerged. Still, the ease with which this fire could’ve escalated raises questions about park safety and oversight.

“A young girl started screaming, ‘Fire!’ And we looked behind and saw a palm tree on fire,” said hiker Isabelle Zakheim. The speed of the response was everything.

(/los-angeles-hikers-confront-alleged-arsonist-before-arrest-runyon-canyon-video-shows/17125585/)

Is There a Bigger Picture?

Some locals on platforms like Instagram, where @dstylemedia and @scottyfranchyze shared viral videos, speculate this wasn’t just a random act. Could Ocalliham’s fire be part of a larger issue—say, a string of unreported arsons or a symptom of systemic failures in addressing homelessness and mental health? I dug into social media and X posts for chatter about similar incidents, but found no concrete links to a broader conspiracy. my post on his wrap sheet http://dfwsas.blogspot.com/2025/08/thats-wrap.html

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PadjSrr-hQc)(https://www.tiktok.com/%40cnn/video/7527827100745665806)

Still, Los Angeles’ challenges—wildfire risks, a homelessness crisis, and strained mental health resources—provide fertile ground for suspicion. If Ocalliham’s act was driven by mental illness, it underscores a city struggling to support its most vulnerable. If there’s more to his motives, the ongoing court case could reveal it. 

The Heroes of Runyon Canyon

The real story here might be the hikers. Mitchell, DiMarco, and others didn’t hesitate—they chased, recorded, and held Ocalliham until authorities arrived. Their actions, born of instinct and perhaps fear of another wildfire, saved the day. But it also begs a question: Why did civilians have to step in? Are park rangers and LAPD stretched too thin in fire season? 

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/runyon-canyon-hikers-stop-suspected-arsonist-during-brush-fire/)

What’s Next?

Ocalliham’s case is active, with court proceedings ongoing after his July 15 arraignment. I’ll be watching for updates—particularly any psychological reports or statements that might clarify his motives. 

For now, this fire was a near-miss, stopped by everyday people who refused to let history repeat itself. But near-misses are warnings, and I’m not convinced we’ve heard the last of this story. Was Ocalliham a lone actor, or is there more to uncover? I’m on the case.

Have you heard rumors about other fires in LA parks? Seen something suspicious in Runyon Canyon? Drop a tip in the comments or email me at shaneshipman+investigates@gmail.com Let’s get to the bottom of this.