LATimes:
August 16, 2009 | Huge Santa Barbara County wildfire caused by marijuana farm; suspects at large in forest
A fire that has burned more than 75,000 acres in Santa Barbara County over the last week was started in an illegal marijuana growing area operated by a Mexican drug organization, authorities said.
Authorities said they confirmed that the blaze, which is burning out of control, started in a cooking area of the pot farm. They believe those responsible are still in the forest area trying leave the forest by foot.
"The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit has confirmed that the camp at the origin of the fire was an illegal marijuana operation believed to be run by a Mexican national drug organization," according to a statement from the Los Padres National Forest. "The Narcotics Unit has been working in the area within the last month eradicating other nearby marijuana cultivation sites."
The location of those who ran the pot farm isn't known, but forest officials warn "not to approach anyone who looks suspicious but to instead contact the nearest law enforcement agency."
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How many bad public policies had to come together to make this story?
5 comments:
1st -- Overtime for fire fighters results in some of them starting fires to get big paychecks.
Happened in France just recently. Volunteer firefighters setting fire on a national holiday in order to maximize their revenue, 19Euros for one, 36Euros for the other. Makes 10 burned hectares per Euro....
That's just economic stimulus.
Seriously, what is the difference between setting fire to some forests so that firefighters can earn some more money and handing out $4500 to people who destroy a working car?
Both destroy something in order to spur some economic activity...
My question is this -- does CalFire have to contract for extra munchies on these "types" of fires?
It's a good thing they put into place restrictions to keep corporations out of the marijuana-growing business in California; we wouldn't want the Mexican cartels to feel threatened by legitimate businessmen, after all.
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