Vegetation fire extinguished by firefigthing personnel in the1100 block of Channel Drive, Montecito. 
MONTECITO, CA – January 21, 2013– The Montecito Fire Protection District responded to a reported vegetation fire at the 1100 block of Channel Drive at 11:36 a.m.
Upon arrival, Montecito Fire personnel, with the assistance of a Santa Barbara County Sheriff Helicopter found a fire burning in dead and decadent vegetation at the end of a bike path. The fire originated on the beach, and burned uphill on the bluff to the where firefighting personnel caught the fire. The fire was knocked down at 12:15 p.m. burning less than ¼ acre.
Montecito Fire was assisted by Santa Barbara City Fire, Carpinteria/Summerland Fire District and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. There were four engines, one squad, helicopter, and chief officers for a total of 20 personnel at the scene.
The fire cause was determined to be a warming fire started on the beach near a homeless encampment. Several witnesses identified an individual they had seen leaving the area immediately after the fire started. That individual was questioned, and has been arrested by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department in connection with the fire.
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Address/Location
Montecito Fire Protection District
595 San Ysidro Rd
Montecito, CA 93108
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-969-7762