La Brea Fire

La Brea Fire
Plume from the La Brea Fire on August 15
Date(s)	August 8, 2009 - August 22, 2009
Location	Santa Barbara, California
Statistics
Burned area	89,489 acres (362 km2)

The La Brea Fire began near La Brea Creek in Santa Barbara County, inside of Los Padres National Forest. The fire burned 89,489 acres (140 sq mi; 362 km²) of chaparral between August 8 and August 22, but only destroyed two structures—a cabin and an unused ranger station. The huge Zaca Fire burned in the same region in 2007, and some of the same fire lines were used to contain the La Brea Fire. A propane stove at an illegal marijuana plantation inside the National Forest is believed to have ignited the fire. The plantation held approximately 30,000 marijuana plants, worth an estimated US$90 million. Prior to the blaze, seventeen other plantations hidden in the forest had been discovered by authorities, who destroyed more than 225,000 plants worth over US$675 million. No suspects were captured at the site, but investigators did find an AK-47 assault rifle, and warned the public that the suspects could be armed and dangerous.

Progression of the La Brea Fire through August 20, along with outlines of the Zaca Fire (2007) and Wellman Fire (1966).