Nearly a year after the Loma Fire scorched more than 4,400 acres of land and 12 homes in the hills west of Morgan Hill, officials have determined the blaze was sparked by a portable generator related to a marijuana growing operation, according to a press release from CalFire.
Investigators pinpointed the area where the fire originated, and narrowed down the cause to the use of one of three generators on the property in question, reads the Aug. 9 press release. The equipment was used for a marijuana cultivation deep in the steep, remote hills.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the legality of the marijuana operation, according to CalFire officials.
The Loma Fire began Sept. 26, 2016, near the area of Casa Loma Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The blaze burned about 4,474 acres of land and destroyed a total of 28 structures—including a dozen homes, according to CalFire.
The wildfire burned for 16 days before being fully contained by firefighters Oct. 12, 2016. At its peak, nearly 2,000 firefighters battled the fire, and numerous agencies assisted in the suppression effort.
Smoke and flames from the Loma Fire could be seen throughout Morgan Hill and Santa Clara Valley for several days.
