What caused Lizzie Fire? SLO police arrest teen seen on camera near where blaze started
A 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arson Tuesday in connection to the Lizzie Fire in the hills above San Luis Obispo High School, San Luis Obispo Police Department said in a news release.
Meanwhile, the fire reached 95% containment Wednesday morning, the Fire Department said Wednesday.
The fire, which started around 2:45 p.m. Monday, has burned 124 acres behind the high school.
It prompted an evacuation order Monday for residents south of Lizzie Street, east of Fixlini Street and north of Bishop Street, but that order was reduced to a warning by 8:30 p.m. That warning was lifted Tuesday around 3:30 p.m.
Police said they identified two juveniles who were seen leaving the area where the fire is believed to have started through video surveillance footage of the perimeter of the school.
The agency arrested an unidentified 15-year-old on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire that causes great bodily injury. They have been booked into San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Hall. The other teen has not been detained at this time.
Police did not say how or why the teen allegedly started the fire.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and asks anyone with additional information to contact Det. Jeff Koznek at 805-594-8005.
13 agencies assist Lizzie Fire response, Cal Fire says
More than a dozen agencies came together Monday to knock down the fire and prevent it from threatening people and homes in San Luis Obispo, Cal Fire’s incident update said.
“Firefighters have been making great progress battling the steep terrain and dry and very receptive fuel bed,” Cal Fire’s incident update said.
The update added that the area of the fire has history of fire behavior and drought-stressed trees.
The update reported no injuries, but the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department said in a Tuesday news release that one firefighter sustained minor injuries as they fought the flames.
No structures have been damaged, the agencies said.
However, the city said, the Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve hiking trail and access points will remain closed until further notice.
“This dangerous fire threatened both life and property, and I’m grateful for the quick work of our Fire Department, Cal Fire and many other responding agencies to protect the community,” city emergency manager James Blattler said in the news release. “SLO has not seen a fire of this magnitude in some time and we appreciate everyone doing their part to keep others safe and follow the directions of our emergency personnel.”
The fire is expected to be fully contained by Thursday, the incident update said.
The San Luis Obispo City Fire Department said the two fires that sparked near Cal Poly Monday are unrelated to the Lizzie Fire. The causes of the Cal Poly fires are under investigation.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Los Padres National Forest, San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office, Five Cities Fire Department, Atascadero Fire Department, Morro Bay Fire Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, San Luis Obispo City Police Department, California Conservation Corp, California National Guard, PG&E and California Highway Patrol all assisted in fighting the fire.
