A Freeper seems to have found info about a fire in Harlow in Mariposa County, July 10-15, 1961, east of Santa Cruz:
http://www.mariposaresearch.net/HARLOWFIRE.html
http://www.sierrastar.com/111/story/45834.html
But after further checking, that’s about 150 miles away. But, the timeframe is close ...
sounds as if it was extinguished rather quickly...where was she when she saw the smoke?
Susan says she was on vacation in Santa Cruz, about 30 miles south of SFO, in summer 1961 and left when the fires started.
I see my problem. I'm an Aussie. Don't know where SFO is...LOL! Better stay out of it.