Lake Fire burns close to Neverland once owned by Michael Jackson
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif.-Only firefighters and residents can get through a closure near a ranch once owned by the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.
The Lake fire is getting international attention since it is burning near Neverland on Figueroa Mountain Road about 5 miles from Los Olivos.
That is what Jackson named it.
New owners changed it's name to Sycamore Valley Ranch, but that hasn't stopped people including firefighters from calling it Neverland.
"Neverland is just up the road on the left hand side," said Captain Scott Safechuck," We have some cabins being protected in the drainage."
Safechuck is the public information officer for Santa Barbara County and has been sharing video of the fire on social media.
It has been used by a Jackson-relation production and has its own security at the gate where fans have left their names and messages in chalk.
The Lake Fire started on Friday afternoon and got its name from nearby Zaca Lake.
Firefighters are protecting people and property from the road and the air.
Grateful Neverland neighbors have posted thank you signs and set up a stand with free cookies and sandwiches.
"They are flying over our property all the time and we have had a number of fires since we have lived here the last fire years," said Heather Mason, " Just seeing all the things they do to keep us safe we appreciate and we want to try to say thank you in any way we can."
Mason said her family is packed and ready to evacuate with their horses, but at the moment they feel safe enough to give homemade cookies and snacks to the firefighters who stop by.
Santa Barbara County and Los Padres National Forest Fire Public Information officers said the fire has not damaged Neverland.
They also said it is hard to verify if nearby cabins have burned.
More than 1,000 firefighters from throughout California, Idaho and Montana are on the firelines.
There are also water trucks from Bakersfield and other communities assisting the fire fight.
Crews putting out hot spots said some firefighters been stung by bees flying out of the trees.
