Tea Fire

The Tea Fire has indelibly left its mark on our community: 80 Montecito homes, 130 Santa Barbara homes, 25 injuries, 1,940 acres scorched, and over $5-million in fire-fighting costs:. As the smoke clears, stories of survival and loss emerge, and many people are left wondering what’s next. A task force consisting of investigators from the U..S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, SB County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and SB Sheriff’s Department has determined that the fire was caused by ten young adults who had lit a bonfire in the early morning hours of Thursday, November 13. After believing they had extinguished the fire, they left the Tea House area, but the fire continued to smolder until strong winds reignited it later that evening. “At this time the cause of the fire does not appear to be malicious nor does there appear to be any specific intent to have started it; the investigation is continuing,” said Sheriff Bill Brown at a press conference held on November 17.

• By Kelly Mahan
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