Firefighters expect to have a fire that broke out early Sunday
morning in the hills west of Morgan Hill contained today. As of 7
a.m. this morning, the fire had claimed three structures, but was
75 percent contained.
Firefighters expect to have a fire that broke out early Sunday morning in the hills west of Morgan Hill contained today. As of 7 a.m. this morning, the fire had claimed three structures, but was 75 percent contained.
The Loma Fire, which started at 3 a.m. Sunday and the cause of which is unknown,was originally estimated to be 800 acres in the Maymens Flat Road area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, according to Cal Fire. More than 100 fire engines, nine planes and five helicopters, helped more than 1,700 firefighters battle the blaze.
About 150 other homes stand within an area that emergency officials were blocked off to through traffic. This includes 85 homes along Ormsby Cutoff that were issued evacuation notices Monday. However, the evacuation order was lifted Tuesday and Cal Fire said that no structures were in danger.
Many residents in the threatened structures had opted to stay at home rather than to evacuate, Calfire spokesman Battalion Chief Jim Crawford said. Residents have a right to stay, but it creates further challenges for firefighters because they must concentrate on protecting people as well as the structures, he said.
“We’re always concerned about life safety,” Crawford said.
Four firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, the cost of which has reached about $1.4 million.
Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Road in Watsonville, was being used as an evacuation center.
The fire’s epicenter stands along the border of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. The fire is about 6 to 10 miles west of Gilroy and Morgan Hill, and was moving southward toward Watsonville Monday afternoon, Crawford said. However, the fire was not anywhere near Watsonville, he said.
The fire was fueled by 40 mph winds, high temperatures and low humidity, leading to the closure of Maymens Flat Road, Highland Way, Ormsby Cut, Loma Prieta Way, parts of Mount Madonna Road, Spanish Ranch Road and Summit Road at San Jose/Soquel Road, according to Cal Fire. All road were reopened as of Tuesday morning.
The fire had been about 5 percent contained as of 3 p.m. Sunday, and Crawford attributed firefighters’ ability to further contain the fire Sunday afternoon with lighter winds and successful work with air tankers. Firefighters had the fire 20 percent contained by 6 p.m. Sunday and 40 percent contained Monday night.
Winds picked up Sunday evening, so firefighters prepared for a challenging battle, Crawford said. However, the fire remained 20 percent contained as of Monday morning. Strong winds continued Monday and today, and are expected to gust near 50 mph toward the southeast through Wednesday.
California Highway Patrol, the Office of Emergency Services, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department and fire departments in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties are helping with the firefighting efforts. Assistance from the various agencies is vital in battling the blaze, Crawford said.
“We really can’t do it without them,” he said.
