String of rubbish fires tie up Lompoc resources Monday morning

Five separate rubbish fires tired up resources in Lompoc for over an hour and a half early Monday morning.

Now, firefighters are working with police to track down the person or people responsible.

Given the current conditions, fire officials say had these sparks started later in the day or closer to vegetation; we could be looking at a much different, dangerous outcome.

“With the high temperatures, low RH’s and we had a lot of wind today, we definitely had the potential if these starts would have happened in the afternoon or near vegetation or anything like that,” said Engine One Captain Cody Lee with the Lompoc Fire Department.

Crews responded to the first fire reported at 4:30 a.m. in the 200 block alley of North K and L Streets and that’s where our crews spotted the most visible damage.

A vehicle was singed in that first blaze, and a fence was scorched along the 1100 block of West Pine.

Small fires also popped up along the 900 block of West Maple, the 1400 block of West Oak and the 200 Block of North X but thankfully, firefighters were able to knock all of them out before they spread and cause further damage to adjacent structures.

“Currently in the city we just have two engines and a rescue so when you have five separate fires all within a short period of time like that, you definitely have resources tied up which definitely puts a strain on things if we have another call,” said Lee.

Fire officials don’t know if all five fires are connected or how they started.

Lee wants to thank the community for acting fat and calling the rubbish fires in quickly, saying that partnership really makes a difference.

If anyone in the community has any information that could help authorities with their investigation, please contact the Lompoc Fire Department.