Montecito Fire

Authorities say a bonfire built by a group of students sparked a deadly November 2008 wildfire in the hills near Montecito, California. The blaze, dubbed the "Tea Fire," destroyed more than 200 homes, injured more than two dozen people and burned several buildings on the campus of Westmont College. Police said on November 18, 2008, that the students involved could face criminal charges in the case. After much initial speculation, it has been reported that nine of then students attend Santa Barbara City College.Santa Barbara Independent: [1] (November 19, 2008)

Westmont College is situated in the hills of Montecito. The flames destroyed several buildings on campus, including the structures that house the physics and psychology departments. Several suites of a dormitory and 15 faculty homes were also destroyed. The fire burned through the eucalyptus grove on campus.MyFox Los Angeles: 100 Homes Destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito Fire (November 14, 2008)

Montecito is the home to several celebrities. Oprah Winfrey owns a 42-acre estate in the area, and Rob Lowe and Michael Douglas both live in Montecito. Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle lived in the landmark Montecito Inn that was built in the 1920s.MyFox Los Angeles: 100 Homes Destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito Fire (November 14, 2008)

• County Tea Fire Call Center: 805-681-5197KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)
• Animal Hotline: 805-681-4332KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)

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• People: Rob Lowe Describes Dramatic Evacuation from Wildfire (November 15, 2008)

• Ktla.com: At Least 100 Homes Destroyed by Montecito Wildfire (November 14, 2008)

• MyFox Los Angeles: 100 Homes Destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito Fire (November 14, 2008)

• The Santa Barbara Independent: Tea Fire Expands Dramatically (November 14, 2008)

• San Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13 (November 14, 2008)

• VenturaCountyStar: Fast-Moving Wilfdfire Consumes Montecito (November 14, 2008)

• L.A. Now (LAT): Dangerous 'Sundowner' winds made Montecito fire explode (November 14, 2008)

• KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)

• Evangelical Covenant Church: Montecito Church Threatened by Fast-Moving Fire (November 14, 2008)

• Telegraph: Wildfires tears through California town home to Oprah Winfrey (November 14, 2008)