Brush fires can be commonplace when conditions are dry, however there was a cause for concern when authorities labeled two brush fires that happened on the same day in Malibu as “suspicious in nature” back in June.
The two fires happened on June 22 within a few hours of each other, one at 3210 Encinal Canyon Road in a potential marijuana growing area and the other in Point Dume near 29500 Heathercliff Road in a ravine near homes in the Point Dume Club neighborhood.
At the time the Encinal Canyon fire was extinguished, officials believed the cause to be illegal fireworks. The LA County Fire Arson unit had conducted an investigation and confirmed that fireworks caused the fire, said LA County Fire Inspector Anthony Akins in a phone interview last Wednesday. Inspector Akins said it is unknown who started the fire and investigation into the incident has been closed.
Further investigation was needed for the Point Dume fire and the case was handed over to the LA County Sheriff’s Arson and Bomb investigators. According to Det. Gary Spencer, the fire took place in an area where young people congregate to smoke.
“Based upon observations of residents living nearby, we determined that the fire was due to human activity,” Det. Spencer said. “However, human caused does not always mean deliberately; it could be accidental.”
While the case is technically closed, it could be reopened if more facts come to light, Detective Spencer said.
Anyone with information is asked to call your local authorities or the Arson/Explosives Detail for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 323–881–7500