Student bonfire blamed for wildfire

A group of college students who lit a ridge-top bonfire are being accused of accidentally sparking one of a trio of once-ferocious wildfires that collectively destroyed about 1,000 homes and blacked more than 65 square miles.

An anonymous tipster told police 10 students gathered a week ago near an abandoned home in the hills of Montecito, Santa Barbara County, said Sheriff Bill Brown on Tuesday.

They built a bonfire during the night and stayed until 3 to 5 a.m. Thursday morning. By Thursday night, when winds took hold of it, the seemingly harmless blaze was on its way to destroying 210 Santa Barbara homes, including multimillion-dollar properties, authorities said.

The students, aged between 18 and 22, apparently believed they had put out the fire before leaving. Fire officials said it is not uncommon for such fires to have the potential to re-ignite days later.

“It appears this fire was the result of carelessness, not criminal intent,” said Brown, who declined to say which school the students attend.