Photo: Mike Eliason / SBCFD
By edhat staff
A commercial cannabis grow was raided by Sheriff’s Deputies near Lompoc Wednesday evening after firefighters protected it from a brush fire.
Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to a 17-acre brush fire at 4777 Sweeney Road around 1:00 p.m. Wednesday. With nearby structures threatened, fire crews sprang into action to contain the blaze.
One shed with agricultural equipment and a vehicle were destroyed while a small cannabis operation nearby suffered some damage but was ultimately saved.
Firefighters contained the fire around 8:00 p.m. that evening and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office discovered the marijuana grow site was unregistered and operating illegally.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Mike Eliason captured photos of firefighters putting out small fires near hoop houses and marijuana plants.
Approximately 1,800 plants and 100 pounds of marijuana was seized by the Cannabis Compliance Team around 10:00 p.m.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating.
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I’m sure those firefighters didn’t mind the fumes… cough cough.
Yeah chief, we’re going to let this one smolder for a bit…
The illegal grower should be responsible for the firefighting efforts including the air support.
Coast or Cost -Watch here?
COASTWATCH – why? Did the grower start the fire?
How do you know? It’s not in the article here. Tell us all what you know.
It started at the grow and where the only damage was. Out in nowhere on Lit Deliveries LLC 42 acre property.
TAGDES – “started at” doesn’t mean “started by.” Where’s your proof?
They had 276 volunteer firemen show up to help put out this BlAzE.
i heard it was 420 volunteers.
Dennis: Why didn’t the grower get the paperwork in order before growing pot so that the sheriff wouldn’t need to get involved?