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Case Against Teen Accused in Gap Fire Closed
The criminal investigation against a Central Coast teenager accused of starting last summer’s Gap Fire is now closed, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
The boy, who was 16 at the time the fire started July 1, was setting fires in brush near rock formations at Lizard’s Mouth off West Camino Cielo west of Highway 154, according to the U.S. Forest Service, the agency leading the investigation into the cause of the 9,000-acre blaze.
The boy’s crime was defined as arson, fire officials said.
The Gap Fire was contained July 28 after it raged across the mountainside above Goleta, forcing widespread neighborhood evacuations as it burned west. There were no serious injuries in the blaze, but four outbuildings were destroyed, as was cropland in northwestern Goleta. Suppression costs reached nearly $21 million.
While there is no evidence that the teen intended to start a wildfire, investigators said, he did ignite several small fires.
Officials, meanwhile, said they are continuing to investigate how the 8,800-acre Jesusita Fire ignited in May.
— Noozhawk staff writer Laurie Jervis can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
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» on 06.21.09 @ 02:41 AM
This article is totally unclear. Is the teen accused of starting the Gap fire, or not? If NOT, then you have a responsibility to make that a bit more clear. This type of writing is really unfortunate, to put it mildly.
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» on 06.21.09 @ 06:05 AM
This is the type of writing we will have to put up with in the “new generation” of online journalism.
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» on 06.21.09 @ 06:26 AM
Let’s see, this kid didn’t intend to start a wildfire but he “did ignite several small fires.” In the Old West they woulda dealt with this kid straight up. Here in Reagan country I say it’s time we get back to our roots! Ditto for the Tea and Jesusita fire starters. The longer we continue to give these criminals a pass the longer we who live in/near the hills will sleep less soundly on windy nights. Never mind the COSTS to OUR community! What punishment is this young man getting? Who, What, When, Where indeed!
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» on 06.21.09 @ 07:37 AM
I completely agree with the previous comment, this article is uninformative. Is the boy being charged with anything (arson)?
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» on 06.22.09 @ 02:44 AM
Gee, wiz, give the kid a break. It ONLY cost $21 million and forced many of us out of our homes for days. C’mon people…wake up! Why is it that when people (kids included) act irresponsibly they are given a slap on the wrist and sent on their way? What about personal responsibility? What about paying for one’s actions? “While there is no evidence that the teen INTENDED to start a wildfire,” he DID. So here’s the lesson, boys and girls, if you do something stupid, just claim you didn’t mean to do it and all is excused.
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» on 06.22.09 @ 05:15 AM
I too was evacuated in the Gap fire and earlier lost our home in the Painted Cave fire. Not intending to start that Gap fire while “lighting several smaller fires” that apparently became the Gap fire is, at best, a legal non-sequiter!
One cannot set a building on fire and then when apprended for arson claim you only intended to char the back wall!
Anyone, adult or minor, who intentionally lights any size fire in the dry brush in local mountains or foothills is an arsonist and the results are easily predictable as the recent fires, apparently accidently started, like the Zaca and Tea fires, evidence that simple fact. The are criminally and civilly responmsible for the outcome.
When cases like this are disposed of in semi-mysterious ways, it is highly suspicious. It leads an inquisitive mind to wonder if the mystery is just because it involved a 16 year old minor, or rather someone who’s parents would be more than embarassed at the disclosure!
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» on 06.22.09 @ 08:53 PM
After writing an opinion piece during the Jesusita fire, recommending that arsonists be vigorously prosecuted and permanently put away, I was brutally critiqued by the “experts” who were certain I was way off base. Click here for the commentary.
We now witness once again the abject impotence of our political and legal systems to provide adequate public protection. This boy-monster was purposefully setting numerous brush fires during fire season, but “didn’t mean” to start a wildfire. Well poor lil’ Sparky!
With “experts” like those who blasted my recent suggestions, and local politicians and judges who refuse to respond forcefully to those directly responsible for such man-made disasters, I sadly foresee more and more brutal fires in our future. And we’ve still seen no viable plans for fighting those conflagrations more quickly and effectively!
Well “experts”, keep up your smug attitudes and ostrich-like responses! Isn’t one of the definitions of insanity doing the same stupid thing over and over, while expecting a different result?
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