From Oregonians for Immigration Reform:

August 17, 2009

OFIR members and supporters:

Yesterday we sent out a news report of illegal aliens setting up marijuana growing operations in the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon . Today we learn that a huge wildfire was started by members of a Mexican drug organization, in Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, CA.

We ask again: Why are the voices of our environmental organizations silent about the defiling of our national forests by illegal aliens? If you are a member of the Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, or other environemental organization, contact them, and urge them to speak up.

Sierra Club - 415-977-5500; Oregon Chapter, Sierra Club - 503-238-0442

Wilderness Society - 1-800-THE-WILD; Pacific Northwest Region - 206-624-6430

Natural Resources Defense Council - 212-727-2200; Montana Regional Office: 406-222-9561

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From the Los Angeles Times, 8/16/09

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... orest.html

Huge Santa Barbara County wildfire caused by marijuana farm; suspects at large in forest

August 16, 2009 | 8:26 am

A fire that has burned more than 75,000 acres in Santa Barbara County over the last week was started in an illegal marijuana growing area operated by a Mexican drug organization, authorities said.

Authorities said they confirmed that the blaze, which is burning out of control, started in a cooking area of the pot farm. They believe those responsible are still in the forest area trying leave the forest by foot.

"The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit has confirmed that the camp at the origin of the fire was an illegal marijuana operation believed to be run by a Mexican national drug organization," according to a statement from the Los Padres National Forest. "The Narcotics Unit has been working in the area within the last month eradicating other nearby marijuana cultivation sites."

The location of those who ran the pot farm isn't known, but forest officials warn "not to approach anyone who looks suspicious but to instead contact the nearest law enforcement agency."

The fire, known as the La Brea fire, is now 25% contained. Vicki Collins, a fire information spokeswoman at Los Padres, said that although the La Brea fire was only 10% contained by Friday night, firefighters successfully charred some lines in front of the fire in the Tepusquet Canyon area, depriving the blaze of new fuel.

Since the fire started Aug. 8, about 234 residences have been evacuated. Collins said if firefighting efforts continue to be successful, residents might be able to get back into their homes within a couple of days. Progress has been slow on this fire because of the low humidity, 90-degree temperatures and remote terrain.

She said they still have no crews on the ground in some wilderness areas, such as the Sisquoc River area.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us yet, though things are looking fairly good on a couple flanks of this fire,â€