The Ojai Post

Other sources:

Daily Sound
CBS

Source: EdHat

Thanks for getting the thread going, Kenley.

Source (citizen media): marksb | dailykos.com

If anyone is interested in finding information on the Sylmar/OC fires here is a link to multiple news video feeds: http://dmz.up-south.com/la.html

Preliminary list of structures lost in Tea Fire as of Sat (11/15) 2PM - https://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/oes0.aspx?id=2332

I am exasperated by the wind, too...

The fire may best be described as exacerbated by winds, however.

Let's help our neighbors through the Red Cross or other community outreach at shelters. Not everyone affected was a bazillionaire, and all deserve our comfort.

Cause of Tea Fire in Montecito, Santa Barbara is Human Related

Santa Barbara County fire investigators have determined the fire's point of origin and that the cause of the fire was human related, although they do not know if it was intentional or not. "The investigation focus is now shifting toward individuals entering the property late Wednesday night and through the early morning hours of Thursday," the County said in a statement. That property they refer to is on East Mountain Drive between the Cold Springs Trailhead and the area known as “The Tea House," hence the fire's sobriquet. The blaze that began Thursday evening has burned 1,940 acres, destroyed 210 homes and is 95% contained.

http://laist.com/2008/11/17/cause_of_tea_fire_in_montecito_sant.php

Tea Fire Cause is Determined

http://www.independent.com/news/2008...se-determined/

At a 4 p.m. press conference, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown announced that as a result of an anonymous tip, investigators were able to identify ten young adults as those responsible for the cause of the Tea Fire. Brown described them as between the ages of 18 and 22, area residents, and a mixture of males and females. Brown also described them as all coming from one school and being cooperative with investigators.

The breakthrough resulting in their identification came as a result of the appeal made to the community to provide information regarding the fire. Over forty tips were received, including one anonymous tip relating to a party that had occurred at an area on the east end of the ridgeline overlooking Cold Springs Canyon known as the Tea Garden.

The cause of the fire appears to be the result of carelessness rather than criminal intent. Sometime Wednesday evening, November 12, the ten apparently headed up to the Tea Garden to party and this including starting what the Sheriff called a bonfire. When they left sometime between 3 and 5 a.m. Thursday morning, those who attended the gathering told investigators that they thought they had put out the fire, which was built near a wall in the Tea Garden area. Rather than dying out, coals from the fire continued to smolder throughout the day and ignited when the strong sundowner winds picked up Thursday evening.

Brown declined to identify those involved and added that the investigation is still ongoing. At this time reports are being prepared and submitted to the District Attorney’s office which will decide if any criminal charges will be filed. Anyone with additional information regarding the start of the Tea Fire is encouraged to call the Tip Line at (805) 681-4171.