VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASEFirefighters stop progress of vegetation fire along Highway 135

Fire crews have stopped the progress of an 18-acre vegetation fire between highways 1 and 135 on Vandenberg Air Force Base property that was burning at a moderate rate in light brush.

Crews that included units from Vandenberg and Santa Barbara County Fire battled the flames to keep them from jumping across to the right-hand side of Highway 135 and on to Graciosa Road.

The Graciosa incident first was reported at 1:15 p.m.

The fire was burning on a grade just inside the base perimeter, according to Santa Barbara County Fire spokesman Mike Eliason.

Along with fire crews fighting on the ground, incident responders requested a helicopter to assist on scene.

A 39-year-old Lompoc man was arrested on suspicion of arson after he allegedly set several fires in the northeast area of the city during the early morning hours Sunday, a Police Department spokesman said.

Ismael Zaragoza Chavez was taken into custody after the Lompoc Fire Department responded to multiple fires in the 300 block of North 2nd Street, the 900 block of East Oak Avenue and the 1400 block of the alley between East Lemon and North avenues.

Sgt. S. Arias said a vehicle, a backyard shed and several dumpsters had been set on fire.

Lompoc officers searched the area for a suspect and found Chavez in the area allegedly with evidence indicating he was responsible for igniting the fires, Arias said.

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County Lines: Firefighters stop progress of vegetation fire along Highway 135 - Lompoc Record