Environment

California Wildfires Sparked by Power Tool Used to Clear Brush

by Jarrett Martineau | May 11, 2009 at 09:16 am

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A power tool is allegedly to blame for the California wildfires that destroyed homes and burned 13 square miles of land near Santa Barbara.

The tool, speculated to have been used to clear brush or vegetation on a trail on private land last Tuesday, was not specified.

Officials have not commented further on the type of power tool in question, nor on whether could face charges over starting the fire.

30,000 people have been forced to evacuate as a result of the fires and 77 homes have been destroyed.

See additional NowPublic coverage on this story: NowPublic | Wildfires

The wildfire that has scorched 13 square miles and destroyed dozens of homes in the hills above this scenic coastal city was apparently sparked by a power tool being used to clear brush, investigators said Sunday.

Fire officials said someone, or possibly a group of people, was clearing vegetation on what appeared to be private land near a trail around the time the fire erupted Tuesday.

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lhg_11

at 22:13 on May 11th, 2009

I don't live in Santa Barbara. I'm about 60 miles away but probably only 40 as the crow flies. Nonetheless we are able to see the smoke plumes from some of the higher elevations in our area and on a recent trip to the beach I was able to shoot some photos in which low clouds created by smoke can be seen in the distance. Ironically the smoke frome the fires enhances the quality of my images..

I do live in an area which is also prone to brushfires and three years ago a small brush fire which was quickly contained came within a quarter mile of my townhouse. My wife, daughter and I are always alert to the possibility that the next brush fire may affect us personally in some way.

lhg_11 has contributed a photo to this story.