UC Santa Barbara students are being warned not to burn furniture in the streets as they leave the college town of Isla Vista.

Last year 32 fires were reported. 19 students were arrested.


They were charged with arson or for fueling a fire.
Penalties include a $1 thousand dollar fine, and up to three months in jail.
Couch fires in Isla Vista are said to be an end of the school year ritual.
The Sheriff’s Department is launching a crackdown again this year to reduce the fires and the dangers that go with them. Undercover officers have been assigned to work night shifts in the area.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Sergeant Erik Raney says some students have been badly burned by attempting to jump over the
burning furniture and instead they end up falling into the flames.
Special trash collections have been scheduled this week, that will include hauling away abandoned furniture.

KEY News Senior Reporter John Palminteri has the full story.
Story Created: Jun 12, 2014 at 5:16 PM PDT
Story Updated: Jun 12, 2014 at 7:33 PM PDT