Brushfire south of Lompoc started by a welding operation

Santa Barbara County firefighters stopped a brush fire south of Lompoc at 6 – 8 acres.

Water dropping helicopters were brought in to fight the flames and they were critical in slowing the progress of the flames.

It began one mile off Highway 1 in the 6700 block around 2 p.m. Thursday and was contained about 3:30 p.m.

Fire officials are calling this the Ranch Incident. County Fire spokesperson Captain David Sadecki said the fire moved at a moderate rate of speed uphill in light grass to heavier fuel.

Lompoc City Fire Department and Vandenberg Air Force Base Fire are also assisted. Captain Sadecki said about 80 firefighters battled this fire.

No injuries reported and no structures were threatened.

Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire is related to a hot work (welding and cutting) operation.

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