UPDATE: Fire Investigators Ask For Public’s Help
Santa Barbara County fire investigators have determined the cause of Tuesday’s Cold Fire to be human caused. They do not say if they believe it was intentional or accidental. Fire investigators are asking anyone who may have been near Cold Springs Trail off East Mountain Drive just before noon on Tuesday to contact them.
The Cold Fire burned about three acres of brush in very steep terrain above Montecito. The first calls into 911 dispatch starting coming in about 11:55pm.
Hikers along the Cold Springs Trail told KEY News they smelled smoke and then saw the fire and immediately started running down the trail to escape. Three hikers trapped above the fire escaped by hiking to the top of the trail.
Fire officials say they questioned several people in the area, but did not detain anyone. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call their Cold Fire Tip Line at 805-686-5061.
At one point during the fire, mandatory evacuations were ordered, but those orders were lifted a short time later. No homes were threatened and there are no reports of any injuries.
