2016 fire destroyed several homes
By DON THOMPSON, Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A generator on a marijuana farm is to blame for a fire last year that destroyed a dozen homes south of San Francisco, investigators said Thursday.
It’s the latest in a string of fires at marijuana growing sites in the past several years that have caused wildland firefighters to take increased precautions. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office is still investigating whether the pot growing operation in the Santa Cruz Mountains was legal.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection investigators determined that the fire that destroyed 28 structures, including 12 homes, was caused by one of three portable generators used at the pot farm. The fire burned about seven square miles over 16 days in September and October, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Santa Cruz and Santa Clara county neighborhoods.
It was one of four wildfires linked to marijuana grows last year, CalFire spokeswoman Janet Upton
