Fire breaks out as crews begin clean-up efforts at the Santa Maria Riverbed

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - A fire broke out Thursday afternoon while crews begin clean-up efforts in the Santa Maria Riverbed to remove homeless encampments.

The fire broke out around 3 p.m. just over the San Luis Obispo County line. The fire burned about 5 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it did break out in the same area where a number of homeless encampments exist.

Clean-up efforts in the riverbed began Thursday morning.

San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County and the City of Santa Maria came together to address this local concern. The riverbed falls under different jurisdictions and private owners. The project is expected to take a couple months to complete.

Crews from Good Samaritan Shelter were also present to provide people who need to relocate with local resources and information.

This comes after the City of Santa Maria stopped allowing the Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast to continue their weekly homeless outreach event on Wednesday at Preskeir Park.

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