Austin Fire officials said a suspect, identified as 37-year-old Daniel Alexander Daugherty, was taken into custody Thursday as they worked to put out several fires in the Barton Creek Greenbelt that they believe were intentionally set, according to the Austin Fire Department.
Austin Fire said Friday that Daugherty was charged with nine separate counts of felony 2 arson (burning of open space land), and his bond was set at $100,000 for each count.
AFD shared in a tweet that they contained a fire at the corner of Bartoncliff and Brookhaven around 11:51 a.m. However, by 1:06 p.m., the AFD tweeted they were working on containing a third and fourth fire in Barton Creek Greenbelt between Barton Springs Pool and Loop 360.
Luckily, Thursday's weather cooperated with fire officials, according to Smith.
"Under different weather conditions, it certainly could have been catastrophic,” Smith said.
AFD said there were not any structures in any immediate danger.
More information will be added when it becomes available.