At a Glance
- Orange County’s first accelerant-detection K-9, Timber, is now on duty.
- The 16-month-old yellow Lab can detect trace amounts of gasoline, diesel, and lighter fluid at fire scenes.
- Timber and handler Capt. Shaun Miller are one of only four such teams in California.
- Why it matters: Faster, more accurate arson investigations across the region and nationwide.
Orange County Fire Authority introduced its newest investigator Tuesday: Timber, a yellow Labrador trained to sniff out the tiniest traces of accelerants at fire scenes. The 16-month-old dog and his handler, Capt. Shaun Miller, form the only K-9 accelerant-detection team in Orange County and one of just four in California.
A Nose Built for Arson Work
Accelerant-detection dogs are conditioned to pinpoint ignitable liquids-gasoline, diesel, lighter fluid-that criminals use to start fires. Even after flames consume a structure or vehicle, residual odors remain.
“Even after the place is burned or the car is burned or whatever that object is, there’s still some remnants that the K-9s can detect, so that’s what we do,” Miller said.
Timber’s training allows him to identify these substances in minute quantities, helping investigators determine where a fire began and whether it was intentionally set.
National Credentials
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) trained both Timber and Miller, qualifying the pair to respond to fire scenes anywhere in the United States. The certification process ensures the dog can work amid charred debris, distracted by noise, crowds, and other animals, while maintaining accuracy.
Daily Drill
Playtime stops when the harness goes on.
“We do a lot of training. We train every day,” Miller said. “We are either training or on calls.”
Mealtimes double as drills. Instead of eating from a bowl, Timber must locate hidden food, reinforcing his drive to search for target odors. Every piece of kibble is a reward for a successful find.
“He’s got to find something, and he gets rewarded with his food. All of his meals come that way,” the captain explained.
From Prison to Partnership
Born on September 3, 2024, Timber never lived in a typical home. Inmates at a New York prison raised him through the Puppies Behind Bars program, teaching basic obedience and socialization before formal scent training began.
“The inmates do the puppy raising, help with socialization, and some basic obedience. They do a fantastic job,” Miller said. “He already came to me very well trained.”
More Than a Tool
Despite the serious mission, Timber provides stress relief around the station.
“When you’re kind of having that stressful day or that rough day, he definitely has the ability to pop his head up there and remind you that everything’s okay, and life’s going to be good,” Miller said. “We have a lot of fun.”
Key Takeaways
- Timber is Orange County’s first K-9 dedicated to accelerant detection.
- ATF training gives the team nationwide deployment capability.
- Daily food-for-find drills keep the Lab’s skills sharp.
- The dog’s prison-raising background provided a solid obedience foundation.
