Properly put out the bonfire before leaving

The wildfires that ravaged 65 square miles in Southern California last weekend spread with ferocious speeds that stunned most residents. Strong 75-mile-per-hour Santa Ana winds fanned the wildfires, with the aid of super-low humidity, high temperatures, and very dry vegetation.

The wildfires occurred as researchers at the University of California-Berkeley released a report last week warning that wildfires along with rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions related to climate change could threaten more of California’s valuable real estate and billions of dollars worth of infrastructure and other facilities.

The researchers said the basic problem in California’s fires is related to continuing changes in the availability of seasonal water.

One key factor is the snowpack in Sierra Nevada, which used to supply melting water for the duration of the summer. The snowpack is disappearing, as increasing temperatures make the snow melt earlier. The consequence: no more water in summer.

This leads to the drying up of forest soils in the summer and ultimately to increased risk of wildfires. Soils are drier because the year-round run-off from a gradually melting snowpack is no longer present. The desiccated condition of vegetation makes fires more intense.

This situation is substantially illustrated in the recent wildfires.

The Tea Fire in Montecito, one of the 3 fires in last week’s wildfires, has been traced to a bonfire built by students on a ridge overlooking Montecito.

Ten students, aged 18 to 22, had rendezvoused Wednesday night at the Teahouse, an abandoned property on the ridge, and built a bonfire. They left the place Thursday morning, believing the bonfire was already out.

But there apparently remained live embers that continued to smolder for another 12 hours in the dehydrated grass. When the fierce Santa Ana winds began blowing at sundown Thursday evening, the embers were reignited.

The consequence: one of the most destructive wildfires to hit Santa Barbara County. The flames moved swiftly, quickly chewed up 1,900 acres, and destroyed 210 homes, damaged 9 others, and inflicted injuries on more than 25 people, three of whom suffered burns. A couple were severely burned fleeing their home and remain in critical condition.

The county sheriff refused to identify the students, although each one had already been questioned. The school nearest to the Teahouse is Westmont College, which is immediately below the ridge. Westmont students have used the Teahouse property as a hangout since the 1960s. The Brooks Institute and University of California Santa Barbara are also located in the vicinity.

The sheriff said there appeared to be no malicious intent on the part of the students. He said the fire was the result of plain carelessness. The county attorney is reviewing the case to determine if criminal charges should be filed.

Safety Tip:

* Make sure bonfires are properly put out. Pour water on it, or smother it with soil. Don’t leave the embers exposed to air.