Bonfire party caused Montecito fire

The fire that destroyed scores of homes in Montecito and Santa Barbara was caused by a group of young people who had built a bonfire, authorities said today.

A group of 10 young men and women described by authorities as locals went to the Tea house, an abandoned mansion, on Wednesday night for a bonfire party. They told Santa Barbara County sheriff's investigators that they had put the fire out before they left that night. But authorities believe the fire continued to smolder through Thursday before breaking out into fire when winds swept in Thursday afternoon.

At this time, it does not appear to be malicious, said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown.

Officials described the group that started the fire as "college students," but didn't identify them further.

The fire broke out near Westmont College, but school officials say there's no indication that Westmont students were involved.

"We have been working closely and cooperating fully with fire officials, and at no point has anyone said that any of our students have been implicated," said Nancy Phinney, director of public relations for the college.

Asked whether the Teahouse property was a student hangout, she said that dating back to at least the 1960s, "Westmont students have known about that area....It's very near our campus."

Firefighters have achieved 95% containment of the 1,940-acre Tea fire, which damaged or destroyed 219 residences.

Last year, officials arrested several people who allegedly started a bonfire in some caves above Corral Canyon in Malibu, where flames burned dozens of homes.

—Catherine Saillant

Comments

[Loco Bro]

I hope those of you who accused Westmont College of "protecting" students and so blatantly assumed that Westmont students were involved with this fire have the integrity to apologize. After all, isn't that what you want from the 10 students who started the fire?

[Mel Mich]

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Westmont College: Our students didn't spark Montecito fire
5:12 PM, November 19, 2008
Westmont College, the Christian school that was damaged in Montecito’s Tea fire last week, announced Wednesday that none of its students were involved in the late-night bonfire that sparked the blaze.

Authorities revealed Tuesday that the wildfire was sparked by a smoldering bonfire built by students on a ridgeline overlooking Montecito, but would not comment on what school the students attended.

After much speculation that they were Westmont students, college President Gayle D. Beebe issued a news release on the matter.

"On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m., Drew Sugars, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, officially informed the college that no current Westmont students were present nor in any way involved with this tragic incident," the release states.

Authorities said a group of 10 young men and women described by authorities as locals went to the Tea house, an abandoned mansion, on Wednesday night for a bonfire party. They told Santa Barbara County sheriff's investigators that they had put the fire out before they left that night. But authorities believe the fire continued to smolder through Thursday before breaking out into fire when winds swept in Thursday afternoon.

The 1,940-acre Tea fire damaged or destroyed 219 residences.

—Monte Morin

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[Joshua]

The following is a direct quote from Westont's President,Gayle D. Beebe. This information can be currently found on Westmont College's homepage. So stop blaming Westmont students.

1. Were any Westmont students involved in causing the fire?

No. On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m., Drew Sugars, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, officially informed the college that no current Westmont students were present nor in anyway involved with this tragic incident.

We have been in regular contact with investigators since the fire and have been providing any information that might be helpful toward determining the exact cause of the fire. This is our responsibility as a community citizen. Our surrounding coastal region is home to many colleges and universities, and like all of them, we are awaiting new information.

It should be noted that at this point, the group of individuals responsible for starting the fire are under the jurisdiction of law enforcement authorities. Again, no current Westmont students were involved with this incident.

[Mike Crawford]

This is extracted from the Westmont College Website home page and is part of the "Tea Fire Update from President Gayle Beebe"

http://www.westmont.edu/

".....1. Were any Westmont students involved in causing the fire?

No. On Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:45 p.m., Drew Sugars, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, officially informed the college that no current Westmont students were present nor in anyway involved with this tragic incident.

We have been in regular contact with investigators since the fire and have been providing any information that might be helpful toward determining the exact cause of the fire. This is our responsibility as a community citizen. Our surrounding coastal region is home to many colleges and universities, and like all of them, we are awaiting new information.

It should be noted that at this point, the group of individuals responsible for starting the fire are under the jurisdiction of law enforcement authorities. Again, no current Westmont students were involved with this incident...."

[Ruby Jackson]

A homeless man was just ordered to pay restitution of $100 million for starting a devastating fire, so why shouldn't these kids be held accountable for the damage? That doesn't mean they have to have criminal charges or a fine placed against them because it was an accident. But, in the case of other accidents, say for instance killing someone when you are driving drunk, you are still held accountable. I'm sure no one that gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking intends to kill someone. Even if these kids didn't intend to start a conflagration, that's what happened as a result of them lighting a bonfire in a high-fire hazard zone.

[Shango Barbarino]

"How many beach fires have been enjoyed on the california coast with zero consequences"

Lots, but the beach is like a giant ashtray with an inexhaustable supply of water nearby if things get out of hand. I have lived in Santa Barbara since my youth. I have been around many beach bonfires. I have never heard of one going out of control. Please let me know if you have information to the contrary. I have hiked, camped and partied all over the mountains including the "tea house" area but have never seen or even heard of anyone ever starting a bonfire in the back country. Those ten were world class stupid and should be held accountable for their actions.

[Bunzilla]

I was living off Milpas on Alisos St in 1977 when there was another huge fire off Mountain Dr that burned all the way down to Alameda Padre Serra. I was evacuated - one of the scariest things I've ever been through. I spent the night in a Red Cross shelter, not knowing until the next day if I would have a home to go back to. It wasn't any $11 million home, but if that fire had been the result of some stupid kids setting a bonfire in the tinder-dry hills, I would have been livid and demanding their hides. I really like the idea of making them do community service - if not with the fire department, then working in a shelter or some other atonement for what they did. All of California is a high fire danger zone right now and they should not have been having any kind of open fire. It doesn't matter if they were students at Westmont or SBCC or UCSB - they were just plain stupid. I don't care what their excuse was. There was absolutely no justification for them setting any kind of fire, and they deserve to be punished to the full extent of whatever the law allows. I don't think jail time would be as big a lesson as making them work with disaster victims.

[Kerry Gillette]

This fire really saddens me, a lot of people I care about lost homes and property. I want to respond to a few comments that people made accusing Westmont of "protecting" the students responsible. I have to say that in my four years there, never once was a student NOT held accountable for reckless behavior, or any breech of college policy. The Westmont administration is comprised of men and women with high moral integrity, I think we can trust that after the official investigation is complete, they will not be making some underhanded side deal to "protect" students if indeed it was Westmont students that caused the fire. Those students will get love and support from the college, but they will have to own up to what they did and the consequences that the county deems appropriate.

[cw]

It's hard not to sympathise with both sides of the story. It's natural to want vendication but if lightning had started the fire we would all go about our mary way and call it natural and a shame. Somethings in life just stink. 10 kids can do their best to pay thier debt to society but it will never be equal. 10 kids can't possibly be expected to settle up the debt for 100+ lifetimes of other's successful work. If it's all supposed to be even in this world I guess they are supposed to pay with their lives, but that sounds completely ludicrous. Somethings just stink and stink real bad. I have a close friend whose parents life's work were lost in this, I don't think they are calling for blood or want to ruin the lives of these kids.
How many beach fires have been enjoyed on the california coast with zero consequences? The situation stinks. Everyone of those kids is probably wishing they had dumped several gallons of water on those done embers.
I don't know how this will ever be made "right", but it doesn't sound like anyone set out to do this.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who knows at least two of the "young adults" are Santa Barbara City College students. There are a lot of "young adults" who know about the Tea Gardens as a place for bonfires, so it should not be assumed it was Westmont kids just because it was near Westmont.

[Chris]

This story is terrible. Just tragic. Talk about the mother of all accidents. It doesn't seem like these kids did anything maliciously, but the unitended consequences could not have been worse. Whether they were Westmont students or not, let's not attack all of Christianity because some kids made really poor decisions. Accidents happen, and this one was unbelievably horrible.

[Ashlieye]

I whole-heartedly agree that whoever is to blame for this fire should not go unpunished. Their carelessness cost countless families thier homes, personal belongings, and tax payers millions. HOWEVER, I am dissapointed that some would be so quick to judge the students and inhabitants of Westmont. Just because it's labeled as a Christian college does not give others the entightlement to blame them for what went wrong November 14th. I understand the human need to want to blame someone or call out a scape goat; but why is that more often than not, Christians get picked first?

[loco bro]

The bonfire was not started in an abandoned building. You may want to check your facts again.

Secondly, let's not jump to conclusions that this was started by westmont students. The Brooks Institue, Santa Barbara Community College and UCSB are all colleges a short distance from the Tea Gardens. Besides this fact, this popular hiking destination is well known to many different groups of people and, in fact, is not limited to Westmont. Why don't we all wait till the official report is released before we start reaming people.

[sam pignato]

The thought of one of those individuals lighting a match for bonfire in an incredible high fire district makes me violently outraged inside. I personally talked to people who lost their dream home built 5 yers ago that they worked their whole lives. They are destroyed as is christopher lloyd and his memories recored of a great carreer. I say make arrests to the the letter and spirit of the law. They were partying till 3 to 4 am and probably drove away drunk and stoned.

[Christian]

These fires have to stop - smart up folks when deciding to light a match! Also, holding people accountable is paramount so others know there are serious repercussions when causing intentionally or not devastation in such proportions. If indeed it is accidental forget finishing college, put that on hold for these students - have them do community service by helping reforest the charred acres burned down. If it was intentional I think the answer is pretty clear have them locked up to repent.

[halhiker]

To all those people calling for prosecution of these kids, ask yourself: If it were your kid or someone you love would you be saying the same thing?

[JimBob]

Everyone in California, in order to get a driver's license, should read and sign a document that explains, "In this state, you NEVER start an open fire. No matter how safe you think you're being. EVER. And if you throw a cigarette out the window of your car, other citizens have the right to drag you out into the street and beat you senseless."

[Xman]

Here's an idea...prosecute every one of those idiots involved and give them about 10,000 hours community service, to be served exclusively on the volunteer fire department. And when there's a fire anywhere in their area, pull them from whatever they are doing and tell them it's serve the community or go to jail!

[Zeke Breznavich]

219 houses, worth what? maybe $4-5 million each on average?
Total of about $1 Billion.
Ten "students" responsible equals $100 Million each.
How's that for a debt upon graduation?
Of course, the tea house property owner(s) may be the "deep pocket", except no pocket is that deep, even in Montecito.
Poopie happens.

[xlazyc]

Idiots. Who in their right mind would even attempt to build a bonfire with the dry conditions here in this part of California? Sounds like they should have spent more time in class, and less time partying. Put them in jail..........or better yet, as volunteers on a fireline for the next 20 years.

[Jack Henry]

The price of anyone's home is irrelevant. Many Montecito homes are not primary residences and wealthy homeowners are well insured. Stop this elitist nonsense. If these kids started the fire, they should be held accountable according to the law.

[Kenneth Agle]

They also destroyed the lives of many animals, both pets and wildlife. That's Christian?

[Max]

They shouldn't be criminally prosecuted since it was an accident, but they should be held accountable financially.

Those ten students will definitely be sued by the insurance companies.

Odds are that a couple of them are trust funders with big bucks.

[storke pearl]

Not at all clear that at 3-5am on Nov. 13 that the intense Santa Ana conditions due for later that day were widely understood. Sure, making a fire in the Santa Barbara foothills during fire is unwise, but who would ever expect this, particularly if they thought they'd put their fire out? I'd save the righteous indignation for intentional malice, which is common enough. Also, I'd wait to see if this group turned themselves in and whether or not they were fully cooperative.

[Red Sky]

They had no business on the vacant property.They did alot of damage amd the homes are uninsurable for fire damage on their property.feel sorry for the home owners they lost everything!They need to proscuted not protected by the college,

[Doug Gentry]

"Arrogance and stupidity"? Seems to me they didn't do anything with malicious intent. Granted, they're going be in deep doo but from what I read it's not like they meant for any of this to happen. To me really stupid would be building a bonfire in 70 mph winds... I don't think that was the case.

[Lysette]

Malicious or not, those kids should be facing charges. Arrogance and stupidity deserves a payback to society too. Those idiots destroyed peoples lives as they know it. Ask Christopher Lloyd and all the others who lost $10MM + homes.

[Shango Barbarino]

The "tea house" was not a mansion. It was built as an entertainment area in the 1920's for a larger estate. The people that built it called it Mar Y Cil and it once featured massive waterworks, gardens, a stage and ampitheater. The property has been a well know area for hiking, partying, and skateboarding since the mid 1960's. It would not surprise me if those ten young adults were Westmont students taking a break from being on the God squad.

[mark satterlee]

We all know it is Westmont students-stop protecting the college!

[Woody]

Ah, just a few harebrained locals prepping the coals for the next day's conflagration. Not so fast! Thank God I wasn't one who lost a home because of this reckless group.

[kristin]

A bunch of kids have a party, think they've put out the fire, and their mistake cost us millions of dollars, displaced lives, and injuries. I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

[Wrong]

Accident or no accident, those irresponsible people should be prosecuted and punished for their reckless behavior. Setting bonfired in abandoned buildings is reason enough to throw them in jail.