Power Line Failure Caused Happy Canyon Brush Fire

Photos: SBCFD

Update by edhat staff
12:00 p.m., July 11, 2019

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports the brush fire in Happy Canyon on July 6 was caused by a power line failure.

The investigation discovered an electrical component failure where an energized line made contact with the ground below causing multiple fires between two power poles.

Update by edhat staff
4:00 p.m., July 6, 2019

The forward progress of the Happy Fire has officially stopped. All firefighters on scene are working to establish a line around the fire while all air support and dozers have been released.

By edhat staff
3:00 p.m., July 6, 2019

A four-acre brush fire is burning in the 7000 block of Happy Canyon in Santa Ynez, reports the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

A Los Padres National Forest fire truck arrived on scene at 2:15 p.m. Friday and discovered 2-3 acres burning in light to medium fuel close to 7351 Happy Canyon Road. Named the “Happy Fire,” County fire crews arrived on scene with air tankers and a helicopter to assess the incident.

The fire is burning in ranch land with some structures in the area and downed powerlines with temperatures in the mid 80’s and winds under 20 mph, reports Mike Eliason with the County Fire Department.

The two air tankers were released while the helicopter is continuing to make water drops to assist ground crews with containment. The Happy Fire is currently at four acres while an investigator is en route to determine the cause.