Santa Paula, Fillmore : Authorities Seek Arsonist in 3 Wildfires

Investigators late last week intensified efforts to find out who set three wildfires that scorched nearly 2,200 acres around Santa Paula and Fillmore.

“Basically, we don’t know a heck of a lot,” said Robert Holaway, deputy chief of the Ventura County Fire Department.

But investigators said they are sure the fires were arson. “There’s a strong possibility that all three were set by the same person,” department spokeswoman Shonna Perry said.

None of the fires caused any structural damage and only two minor injuries were reported, both to firefighters.

By Wednesday, officials said, the fires were nearly contained or surrounded by secure fire lines. Crews from outside the county were breaking camp at Steckel Park north of Santa Paula and returning to their home bases, a Fire Department dispatcher said.

The South Mountain blaze burned 657 acres southeast of Santa Paula and the Mupu fire scorched 750 acres north of the city, officials said.

The third blaze, which began near Shiells Canyon southeast of Fillmore, burned 750 acres.

Holaway said investigators had no hard evidence of arson, such as a lighter or other incendiary device, or witnesses. But all potential accidental causes, such as lightning, had been eliminated.

“In the absence of a cause, you assume arson,” Holaway said.

Perry said all three fires began along roads.

The absence of strong winds midweek prompted the department to cancel the “red flag warning” it had issued Monday. The warning is both an alert to department personnel and a notice to the public of acute fire danger.

Although the warning was canceled, Holaway said, the season for Santa Ana winds is just beginning, increasing the risk of serious brush fires.

“No question, until we get some rain, the problem is still there. Right now, there’s a lot of danger. It’s really dry.”