Electrocuted bobcat to blame for Ventura County wildfire
It wasn't arson, a tossed cigarette or a lightning strike that ignited a five-acre brush fire in eastern Ventura County.
It was an electrocuted bobcat.
About 75 firefighters responded to the brush fire that broke out near the town of Piru about 3 a.m. Monday, containing the blaze in just a few hours, said Ventura County Fire Capt. Ron Oatman.
When fire investigators arrived on scene, they found an unusual piece of evidence: the charred remains of a bobcat that had apparently scaled a power line, been electrocuted and fallen to the ground, lighting the grass on fire.
"It's very common to happen with birds; this is the first bobcat I've heard of," Oatman said.
-- Tony Barboza
EDITOR'S PICKS:
The bobcat was probably an illegal immigrant
Posted by: Dick Armada | September 07, 2010 at 02:22 PM
Yikes. I thought there were safeguards on the wires to ground them so wildlife wouldn't be zapped?
...apparently not.
Posted by: Eve | September 07, 2010 at 02:29 PM
here kitty kitty kitty...
Posted by: Sangroazul | September 07, 2010 at 03:22 PM
The L A Times should start an immediate investigation into why the power company is bigoted against felines. The power company obviously wants to take advantage of these poor undocumented victims. They only climb those power poles to build a better life for their families.
There will be a protest at the Venture County Courthouse next Saturday; the L A Times must cover this fight for freedom and justice -- bring all your feline friends.
Posted by: CaliHATER | September 07, 2010 at 03:43 PM
Yet another example of how the power companies' lax safety standards endanger both our environment and public welfare.
Posted by: Tirau | September 07, 2010 at 04:01 PM
It was George Bush's bobcat. Bush is to blame once again.
Posted by: Lou Bricano | September 07, 2010 at 04:02 PM
Humans are not the superior species.
Posted by: Brian | September 07, 2010 at 04:15 PM
I'm with you, Eve... quite disturbing.
Posted by: elissa | September 07, 2010 at 06:51 PM
Ok. Lets blame the bobcat!! Not the human that is responsible for for the poorly designed poles!!!
Posted by: bill | September 07, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Somebody smoked out too much, and now hes baked!
Posted by: MooseMan420 | September 07, 2010 at 07:10 PM
yeah, the authorities should've predicted and prepared for a BOBCAT CLIMBING A TELEPHONE POLE. damn humans!
Posted by: alex | September 07, 2010 at 08:16 PM