By edhat staff
An unpermitted welding operation caused a small vegetation fire in the Cuyama Valley on Tuesday morning.
At 9:25 a.m., Santa Barbara County and Los Padres National Forest firefighters responded to the 1600 block of Santa Barbara Canyon for a report of a brush fire in the foothills. The responding two engines were able to extinguish the fire and stop its forward progress which had grown to two acres in light fuel.
Investigators with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) determined the cause of the fire was from an unpermitted welding operation.
“The Santa Barbara County Fire Department would like to remind the public that a permit is required for all ‘Mobile Welding/Hot Work’ operations within the county. Along with taking into consideration weather conditions and fuel moistures, a 46-inch round tip shovel, a water extinguisher, and a 10-foot fire break is required. Click here for more information on Mobile Welding/Hot Work permits,” SBCFD wrote in a statement.