Downed Power Line Caused Blaze

Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials concluded that a downed power line was the cause of a fire that stopped traffic for roughly 20 miles in both directions on Highway 101 near Gaviota on 9/3. The Mariposa fire consumed about 170 acres on both sides of the highway and was caused by an Edison power line next to San Onofre Canyon, about a quarter-mile north of Highway 101. The total cost is still being calculated.