Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is seen outside Santa Barbara on November 18, 2003. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The “Lake Fire” in Santa Barbara County has burned through more than 33,000 acres in just a few days and is now threatening an iconic piece of real estate.
Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson’s 2,700-acre home from 1988 to 2005, was less than a mile from the edge of the fire on Sunday, the RMG News service reported.
No information was yet available on whether the fire was moving toward the Los Olivos home.
Jackson owned the ranch until his death in 2009. In 2020, billionaire businessman Ron Burkle purchased it for $22 million.
The fire was first reported at 3:48 p.m. Friday southeast of Santa Maria and prompted an evacuation order on Figueroa Mountain Road, from 5380 Figueroa Mountain Road to Sawmill Basin, including Tunnel Road and the Figueroa Campground.
No injuries or burned buildings were reported as of Sunday afternoon.