A former college professor has pleaded guilty to federal arson charges for starting wildfires in 2021 in Shasta-Trinity and Lassen National Forests that threatened to trap firefighters as they battled the massive Dixie Fire nearby. 49-year-old Gary Stephen Maynard of San Jose could face more than 60 years in federal prison and massive fines for the three counts of arson to which he pled guilty Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Maynard’s arson spree included fires he started in July and August of 2021 behind crews fighting the Dixie Fire, which became the second biggest wildfire in state history. Maynard admitted to starting the Cascade Fire, the Everitt Fire, the Ranch Fire and the Conard Fire. Sentencing is set for May 9th.