Attorney statement re: Jesusita Fire
updated: Dec 11, 2009, 6:37 PM

Source: Michael B. Damen

Larry Powell and Michael Damen, of the law firm of Bright and Powell, represent Dana Larsen in connection with the misdemeanor complaint filed against him by the Santa Barbara District Attorney.

Mr. Larsen and a companion were engaged in the community service of clearing brush from biking and hiking trails in the Los Padres Forest area during the morning of May 5, 2009. Mr.Larsen had no knowledge of any fire when he and his companion left the area that morning.

Witnesses have confirmed that Mr. Larsen was home mowing his lawn by noon that day. Published reports indicate that the fire did not start until approximately 2 hours after Mr. Larsen returned home.

Mr. Larsen is a long-time Santa Barbara resident with a wife and two school age children. Mr. Larsen and his family, along with many of their friends and neighbors, were themselves evacuated during the fire. Mr. Larsen has been fully cooperative with the authorities since learning of the fire investigation.

Although he has great sympathy and concern for those who have suffered as a result of the fire, Mr. Larsen denies being responsible for starting the fire. He and his family are understandably devastated by the charges and by the District Attorney's decision to seek a civil cost recovery against him based upon a potentially inapplicable code section that appears directed towards construction activities such as welding rather than the volunteer work engaged in by Mr. Larsen.

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