A hidden homeless encampment beneath a well-traveled California bike path came to light only after firefighters were called to investigate a fire burning underground.
The blaze was reported just after midnight on Thursday, Aug. 27, along the Carpinteria Creek Bike Path, according to the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District.
Fire crews were first dispatched to check on reports of smoke in thick vegetation near the 5400 and 5500 blocks of Carpinteria Avenue.
When firefighters arrived, they spotted “a bright orange glow and flames coming from a moderate to heavy vegetation area on the Carpinteria Creek bike path.”
Crews then discovered “a fully involved hidden subterranean structure that was confirmed as a homeless encampment” and moved quickly to put out the flames.
The fire was contained before it could spread to nearby vegetation or surrounding structures, and no injuries were reported, fire officials said.
Noozhawk, a local news outlet covering Santa Barbara County, reported that Carpinteria Assistant City Manager Ryan Kintz said the city’s Public Works team, Code Compliance staff and the Fire Marshal met after the emergency response.
Kintz told Noozhawk that the underground structure and related debris have since been cleared from the area.
“The remaining work is to backfill the depression left after removal of the structure and restore the area,” he added.
Kintz added that Public Works is “currently assessing the site” and working with different agencies for “any necessary permitting and reporting requirements… at this point, our immediate focus is completing the remaining work and appropriately restoring the site.”
