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• A brush fire ignited near Santa Barbara, California on November 13, 2008. The blaze, dubbed the "Tea Fire," destroyed more than 200 homes in the upscale area of Montecito. As of November 19, officials reported that the fire was 95% contained. Authorities believe the fire was caused by a bonfire that continued to smolder after a college party.Los Angeles Times: Bonfire party caused Montecito fire (November 18, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Tea Fire broke out around 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008San Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  2. Blaze grew dramatically overnight, fanned by high windsCNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  3. 13 injuries reported on the morning of November 14San Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  4. More than 200 homes had been destroyed by fire in MontecitoCNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  5. More than 10,000 residents evacuated in the wake of the blazeCNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  6. Fire destroyed several structures on the campus of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CaliforniaMyFOX Los Angeles: 100 Homes Destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito Fire (November 14, 2008)
  7. Dubbed the "Tea Fire" because authorities think it began in an area known as the Tea GardenThe Santa Barbara Independent: Tea Fire Update (November 13, 2008)
  8. Celebrities included in evacuations: Oprah Winfrey and Rob Lowe
  9. Fire likely caused by bonfire at college party held at Tea mansionLos Angeles Times: Bonfire party caused Montecito fire (November 18, 2008)

• Cause

  Authorities believe that the fire's source leads to a bonfire held during a party which was likely left smoldering. A group of ten college students claim to have lit the fire at an abandoned Tea mansion. They claim to have extinguished the flames, though officials believe that smoldering ash was likely reignited by high winds.Los Angeles Times: Bonfire party caused Montecito fire (November 18, 2008)

• Emergency Phone Numbers

  • 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)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Montecito Fire | Santa Barbara Fire | Westmont College | Marek Wildfires | Napa Valley Wildfire | California Fires | California Wildfires June 2008 | Los Angeles | California | Malibu Fire | Sierra Madre Wildfire | Canyon Country Fire | San Diego Fire | Sesnon Fire | Santa Ana Winds | Fontana Wildfire | Sepulveda Pass Fire | Santa Barbara | San Ysidro Ranch | Montecito Inn

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