US | California Careless Students' Bonfire Started Montecito Blaze Sheriff not sure bonfire builders will be charged By Katherine Thompson Posted Nov 19, 2008 11:13 AM CST Copied Mount Calvary Benedictine Monastery, left, appears destroyed as a firefighting spotter aircraft flies past after a wind-driven wildfire swept through Montecito, California. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) A group of students who failed to completely put out a hilltop bonfire apparently caused the destructive Montecito fire, a Santa Barbara sheriff told the Los Angeles Times. The blaze destroyed 210 homes and injured at least 25 people last week. A district attorney will decide whether to charge the students after a full investigation. The group of 10 youths met at an abandoned property on a mountain ridge and lit the bonfire to keep warm. They told investigators they thought the embers were out when they left. California has been cracking down on accidental fire-starters—only 7% of wildfires are the result of arson—including partying groups and workers whose tools ignite dry grass. Read These Next Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. President Trump celebrates a 'giant' Supreme Court win. Report an error