550-Acre Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains Prompts Evacuations, Threatens 300 Structures
550-Acre Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains Prompts Evacuations, Threatens 300 Structures : Cal Fire crews aggressively responded to a fast-moving vegetation fire burning on the Loma Prieta ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which prompted evacuations, destroyed one structure and charred at least 550 acres, with the potential to burn 1,000 acres by Monday night, fire officials said.
At least 300 structures are threatened by the fire, which is in proximity to television towers. Evacuations are in effect along Summit, Mount Madonna and Croy Ridge roads. About 300 people have evacuated the area, Cal Fire said.
Santa Clara County residents described seeing a plume of smoke resembling a volcano from their homes and backyards. Footage from the NBC Bay Area chopper, which was the first to arrive at the scene, showed fire crews and a DC-10 tanker using retardant to control the fire.
According to CalFire, 200 firefighters from multiple agencies were on scene, and the fire was 5 percent contained by late Monday night.
An evacuation center was set up Monday at Soquel High School, 401 Old San Jose Road in Soquel, for those who needed shelter. But the Red Cross said it was searching for another location because the school was set to close at 11 p.m., and school would be in session Tuesday.
The blaze, which has been named the Loma Fire, is in the area of Loma Prieta and Loma Chiquita roads, west of Morgan Hill, and is spreading at a rapid rate in the southeast direction toward open space, Cal Fire said.
The fire can also be seen from as far away as Monterey, according to residents in the area.
Ben Brown, who was tweeting photos of the fire from his living room in the north end of Scotts Valley, said he watched the fire grow really rapidly in the first half-hour. “It’s not at a threatening distance. I can only see smoke but I’m keeping a close eye on it.”
Jacquie Heffner, who lives in the San Jose foothills, said she could see a lot of smoke from Santa Teresa Boulevard and Dunn Avenue. “We’re one hill away as the crow flies. The end of my street goes into the foothills. I can smell the fire a little bit.”
Dozens of South Bay residents tweeted photos of the fire from their evening commute home. A time-lapse video of the fire showed white smoke from the fire quickly turning dark black, and then a fiery red around 5:30 p.m.
Monday, a Spare the Air day in the Bay Area, was an exceptionally hot day in the South Bay, with temperatures rising to 100 degrees in some parts.
NBC Bay Area’s Gonzalo Rojas contributed to this report.
Cal Fire crews continue to battle 300-acre fire burning in Santa Cruz Mountains. 300 structures threatened. https://t.co/mcILVKI8FC pic.twitter.com/iRGu6Pw56c
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) 26 September 2016
Photo of #LomaFire in #SantaCruz mountains from a viewer who flew into @FlySJC https://t.co/kYwPnZSfR9 pic.twitter.com/5nO5IJktpA
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) 26 September 2016
#ICYMI here’s Loma Prieta fire weather & latest facts as hot 90° continues to fan the flames: More LIVE @nbcbayarea #LomaFire pic.twitter.com/5BzYtRhM8d
— Jeff Ranieri (@JeffRanieri) 26 September 2016
Big fire rigs look small as they head into #SantaCruz Mts Fire which continues to grow. pic.twitter.com/vj5GFU36oC
— RobertHanda (@RHandaNBC) 26 September 2016
Source : http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Cal-Fire-Responding-to-Fire-in-Santa-Cruz-Mountains-394872431.html
