Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire at Cachuma Saddle Guard Station, which burnt to the ground May 7.

Investigators said the fire is suspicious because so far they cannot find a natural explanation for it.

“It happened early in the morning, and there were no other things going on such as lightning, explosions, wildfire or vehicle fire,” Forest Service spokesman Joe Pasinato said.

The station has been vacant for more than 10 years, has been vandalized repeatedly and was scheduled for demolition in 2005. The fire was reported by a local resident who saw smoke coming from the building.

Pasinato said the building is near the main road that runs through the Figueroa Mountain area, but would not speculate as to whether the fire could have been started by a cigarette thrown out of a car window.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in determining the cause of the fire. The service asks that anyone who was in the area on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 6 or the morning of Wednesday, May 7 contact the Forest Service at (805) 541-0312, extension 222.