California investigators are looking for up to six marijuana growers suspected of starting a large wildfire north of Santa Barbara with cooking gear.
Investigators found about 30,000 marijuana plants near the origin of the fire in a remote canyon. An assault rifle was recovered at the campsite.
U.S. Forest Service Special Agent Russ Arthur said Tuesday that a cooking device at an encampment was responsible for the fire, which has burned more than 137 square miles.
Arthur says it’s the first time in Santa Barbara County a wildfire has been caused by drug trafficking.
He says there are typically three to four small fires each year in California that are started by similar activity.
The fire is one of several scorching the state during the past week.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
DAVENPORT, Calif. (AP) — Nearly all residents have been allowed back into their homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where a wildfire once threatened their communities.
The fast-growing fire had prompted mandatory evacuations Thursday for the communities of Bonny Doon, Swanton and Last Chance Road.
Authorities started letting the more than 2,200 evacuees return home Sunday. By Tuesday morning, with the blaze 80 percent contained, only 20 people remain under evacuation orders.
The fire has burned more than 11 square miles and damaged or destroyed three outbuildings.
Some evacuation orders also have been lifted in the Sierra Nevada foothills, where a wildfire has charred about 5.6 square miles. The fire, which destroyed two homes Friday, is now 30 percent contained.
