After a brief trial, a Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury in Santa Maria found a Santa Ynez Valley man guilty of unlawfully causing a fire, but an absent defendant led to a warrant for his arrest. 

Steven Randall Nicholas, 63, of Santa Ynez was found guilty after jurors heard testimony from assorted firefighters and neighbors during the trial this week before Judge Denise Hippach. 

After Nicholas failed to show up for the reading of the jury’s verdict, the judge issued a no-bail warrant for the defendant. 

The charge stems from the Caballo Fire that sparked on the afternoon of Sept. 6, 2021, threatening structures and blackening 70 acres before being contained. 

Before being extinguished, the fire involved multiple properties on Avenida Caballo, Canada Este Road and Old Calzada Road, according to the criminal complaint. 

Fire investigators determined that the defendant was using a Mag torch to burn weeds on his property on Avenida Caballo without a burn permit and despite 96-degree heat and 22% humidity.

A small burn quickly grew out of control, leading to evacuation orders and warnings for residents in the area.

Witnesses testified Monday about seeing the defendant driving a white van to leave the property, saying he needed to check the back side of the family property.

Jurors saw the various surveillance videos and aerial photos showing the big column of black smoke rising from the fire’s site in the distance as strong winds blew plants in the yard. 

Deputy District Attorney Madison Whitmore led the prosecuting team while Adam Pearlman represented the defendant.

Capt. James Snodgrass and investigator Douglas MacCready from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department spearheaded the investigation into how the blaze started. 

A sentencing date remains in limbo because of the defendant’s absence.