Evacuations under way as wildfire rages in Santa Cruz Mountains

Santa Cruz Sentinel ^ | 5-22-08 | By Mark Gomez

[EggsAckley]

Firefighters are evacuating residents near a wildfire that is burning out of control this morning in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the fire has burned about 500 acres.

Sheriff's deputies from Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties are in the process of evacuating residents living in a three-mile stretch near Mount Madonna Road, according to Chris Morgan, a fire prevention specialist. Morgan estimates there are at least 20 homes in the are being threatened by the fire.

"Our main priority is evacuations, getting people out safely," Morgan said. "Then we can start working the perimeter of the fire."

[martin_fierro]

Thanks Eggsie

CRUZIO PINGIO DUDES

[shorty_harris]

I’m at Moffett Field. Had a good view of it on my morning jog. There’s a helicopter outfit here that does water drops, but I haven’t seen any activity from them. The Collings Foundation B-24 and B-17 are out for the mornings flights; I’ll bet they have a good view.

[lainie]

I tried searching, but apparently there are many different Happy Valley locations. Do you have directions or cross roads?

[SF Republican]

Thanks, I think I found it, they are about 7 miles from the fire. I called the camp ground and they indicated they were keeping an eye on things but were not planning on an evacuation at this time.
Thanks again.

[editor-surveyor]

"It’s just to the North of the word Santa in Santa Cruz on your map"

No, lainie is correct; the area you refer to is "Granite Creek" which is a steep wooded canyon leading from Scots Valley to Santa Cruz.

[lainie]

Oh, you’re welcome. You must be uneasy, but I’m sure they’re staying on top of it. He will be just fine.

[editor-surveyor]

"The fire started at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday off Summit Road near Loma Prieta Road in the Felton area of the Santa Cruz mountains."

The news people seem to be confused. Loma Prieta is nowhere near Felton. But if the fire has burned from Loma Prieta to the county park, we're talking about a fast fire!

[lainie]

http://sfist.com/2008/05/22/wildfire_runs_w.php

Huge plumes of smoke are mushrooming over the Santa Cruz Mountains juust above Ben Lomand due to a rapidly growing wildfire. It's gone from 100 acres to well over 1,000 in just a couple of hours. The fire allegedly sparked at the intersection of Summit and Loma Prieta roads.

No lives, as of now, have been lost.

Hundreds of homes, a few compounds, and several schools (C.T. English Middle School, Loma Prieta Elementary School in Los Gatos and Mount Madonna School in Watsonville) have been evacuated. Summitt Road at Mount Madonna Road and Pole Line Road are closed. Highway 152 might close down before noon.

Here is some flaming footage. Really, the blaze is spectacular, folks. If you have access to a TV, tune into any station; they're all hysterically on-the-scene live. (Cheryl Jennings is on the phone with a fire department chief right now, practically blaming him and his department for being ill-prepared to fight the fire... WHILE THE FIRE IS RAGING. Real nice.)

[NormsRevenge]

strong winds out of the NW. looks like this started further south than I originally thought it did as well. lots of fuel. They missed Felton by many a country mile.

[lainie]

ABC affiliate says it's 1,700 acres now

[B4Ranch]

Just spoke with friends and it was reported burning 1700 acres as of 30 minutes ago. Moving in a primarily Southerly direction.

[Syncro]

Doesn’t look like it’s coming your way.

I think your Elephants will be safe

[EggsAckley]

Yeah, it seems to be moving south. And there is a big wind coming off the ocean intermittently. It’s awfully close to Corralitos though.

My elephants will be fine, except that the big one needs some surgery on her right ear. It fell off in a wind storm, after she attempted to fly.

[Syncro]

LOL, sorry about the ear

What a Dumbo!

Yea, the Free Republic Clubhouse is just above Corralitos

We're having the car and Harley moved out to safety now

[EggsAckley]

OMG! I didn’t realize that it was in Corralitos. The road is closed at Four Corners by Aladdin Nursery. Hope they get them out soon.

Let me know.

[Syncro]

Eureka Vally Rd and Browns Valley roads are closed.

People standing outside the Collalitos market watching the action

A lady from the local church gave a report about a half hour ago on one of the TV stations.

Closed down at four corners too, huh?

Gotta keep the lookie loos out

[EggsAckley]

The local radio station is covering it live right now. KSCO 1080 AM. You can hear it on the net. Pretty interesting coverage.

[Syncro]

You got a link?

I can’t find one for a live feed on their site

I’ll be back later

[lainie]

KSCO doesn’t appear to stream live. They just offer podcasts & such.

[EggsAckley]

Hmmmmm......
Sorry about that. I thought they did. It’s a really strong station and sometimes reaches as far as Fresno and Sacramento.