Case Against Teen Accused in Gap Fire Closed

Boy was found to have been lighting small fires near Lizard's Mouth off West Camino Cielo

By Laurie Jervis, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 06.20.2009

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Post | View Comments (7)
    • Share

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

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules.

  1. No abusive, defamatory or libelous attacks. In plain English: No personal attacks.
  2. No vulgar or discriminatory language.
  3. If you do not follow these rules, don't be surprised if your comment is removed.
  4. Please use the Report Abuse button on offensive comments.
  5. Share what you know, ask about what you don't. Give us your eyewitness accounts, observations, background and history. Tell us what else you want to know about the story.
  6. Stay on the topic, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK, and forgive people their spelling errors.

Noozhawk's intent is not to limit the discussion of our stories but to elevate it. Thank you for your respectful participation. Click here for our complete Terms of Use.

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.

You must be a registered user to comment. Create a user account

Log in




Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?

» Who, What, When, Where ... on 06.21.09 @ 03:41 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.


» to Who, What, When, Where on 06.21.09 @ 07:05 AM

This is the type of writing we will have to put up with in the “new generation” of online journalism.


» sbnative on 06.21.09 @ 07:26 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!


» RZ on 06.21.09 @ 08:37 AM

I completely agree with the previous comment, this article is uninformative. Is the boy being charged with anything (arson)?


» Gap Fire Evacuee on 06.22.09 @ 03:44 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.


» JAX on 06.22.09 @ 06:15 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!


» Daniel Levy on 06.22.09 @ 09:53 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?


More Local News »

Phil Wyatt Builds High-Tech Company with Low-Key Approach

Wyatt Technology's founder and CEO serves as a steady guide for his staff in pinpointing a niche in laser-based instruments

Santa Barbara Airbus Picks Up and Moves to New Location

The company will have more legroom at its new home on Technology Way in Goleta

Residents Get Look at Master Plan for Santa Barbara

An open house kicks off a public-comment period designed to help shape the future of the city

Ninth Circuit Court to Rehear Goleta Rent-Control Case

The appeal on 'regulatory taking' could determine the constitutionality of the city's ordinance

Bob Wilcher: Guaranteed Weight Loss

Eat 500 fewer calories and exercise for one hour each day and enjoy the results

Weather: Partly Cloudy 67.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2010 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive