The person was spotted lighting a palm tree on fire near Kester Avenue and Vanowen Street, Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Lillian Carranza said Wednesday.
The suspect was spotted dancing after lighting the fire.
The blaze damaged not just the tree but nine vehicles in the area.
Police officers and firefighters responded quickly, extinguished the fire and were able to arrest the suspect, Carranza said on Twitter.
The fire was set as the Southland is facing dangerous, severe red-flag conditions.
Driven by Santa Ana winds, multiple brush fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed about 200 structures.