A fast-moving fire forced 2,000 mandatory evacuations and closed a six-mile stretch of scenic Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County Friday, threatening homes and causing gridlock for miles in both directions.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials said they did not know what started the blaze and crews are on the scene. It started shortly before 2 p.m.
The Gilroy Fire Department had dispatched at least one engine as of 3:30 p.m.
So far, the fire had burned 500 acres and thick black plumes of smoke could be seen from South County.
Chris Hirsch, a spokeswoman for Santa Cruz County, said the 2,000 evacuees were being sent to Aptos High School, where an evacuation center had been set up.
"There are homes threatened, but we're not exactly sure how many right now," Hirsch said.
Battalion Chief Paul Van Gerwen, a Cal Fire spokesman, said "numerous structures" are threatened and some have burned, but he didn't have any further details.
He said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but noted that multiple grass fires appeared to have merged into the larger blaze.
The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 1 from Freedom Boulevard in Aptos in the north to Riverside Drive in Watsonville to the south.
Helicopters were dropping water and fire retardant and more reinforcements were being called in, Van Gerwen said.
Officer Grant Boles, a CHP spokesman, said there was no estimate of how long the highway would be closed.
Staff Writer Sara Suddes contributed to this report.
Sara Suddes Sara Suddes is the education reporter for South Valley Newspapers. Send her an email or (408) 847-7158.
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Watsonville blaze forces evacuations, highway closure
