Investigators close to finding what caused Bear Fire in Boulder Creek

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office says they are following positive leads on what could have caused the Bear Fire in Boulder Creek.

Sheriff Jim Hart says, “We have some very positive leads and our staff is working really hard and I think we’re going to have a very positive outcome here.”

Crews are still working to put out the fire. They believe it started on Bear Canyon Road, which connects to Bear Creek Road in Boulder Creek.

Back in 2015 the Sheriff’s Office found a chop shop and siezed dozens of cars and motorcycles in that same area. Now there are dozens of burnt cars lining the road off of Bear Canyon.

Officials are not saying if the exact location of the chop shop is where the fire started, but they will have more answers soon.

“I think there are some great leads that were following up on and i do think we’re going to resolve this thing in the next few days,” says Hart.

Investigators are also still looking into whether this was arson or an accidental fire.