Crime alert: Wild land fire

Crime: 4421 Public Resource Code – Illegal and abandoned camp fire

Location: East of West Road and south of Fuel Break Road, north of the North Remote Parking Lot, UC Santa Cruz.

Case No. 14-780

Suspect(s): Unknown

Incident: At 8:30 a.m. today UC Santa Cruz police officers observed white smoke in the North Remote Parking Lot, and requested assistance from the fire department to locate the source. An investigation revealed that the cause was an unlawful and abandoned campfire that was not extinguished properly and had spread out of control.

Firefighters from the City of Santa Cruz Fire Department, Cal Fire, and City of Scotts Valley Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, which had grown to one-half acre. Eleven engines and 40 firefighters responded.

By 2 p.m., most firefighters had cleared the scene. Cal Fire will remain overnight to monitor the site.

Safety reminder: Section 4421 of the Public Resources Code states that no person shall set fire or cause fire to be set to any forest, brush, or other flammable material which is on any land that is not his own, or under his legal control, without the permission of the owner, lessee, or agent of the owner or lessee of the land.

The threat of fire on our campus is very serious and potentially devastating. California is experiencing a weather pattern phenomenon not experienced in 100 years. The current dry conditions have created an explosive environment comparable to summertime, Southern California conditions.

Unfortunately we have experienced a rash of illegal campfires this past year at UC Santa Cruz. Many sites are found abandoned and still burning long after the departure of individuals engaged in this dangerous activity. Please be aware: These campfires and any open burning are illegal and prosecutable. Report all fires, smoke, or smell of smoke immediately by calling 911.

Report all in-progress crimes by calling 911. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the UC Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-459-2231.

This Bulletin is in Compliance with 20 U.S.C. Section 1092 (f), the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" ("Clery Act"), and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).