[3] The first engine arrived on scene at 6:05 p.m. and was met with winds gusting over 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) with about 2 acres (0.81 ha) actively burning.

The fire proceeded into residential neighborhoods of Santa Barbara, fueled by sundowner winds, eventually jumping U.S. Route 101 at 7:42PM.

Andrea Lang Gurka, age 37, died while fleeing the flames along San Marcos Pass Road.

[6][7] Very quickly after the fire started, investigators determined that the blaze was the work of an arsonist and were able to trace it back to its origin.

A countersuit was filed accusing Ross of starting the fire and the jury ruled in the county's favor, 9-3.