Free Republic

An out-of-control fire that has burned at least 5,200 acres and destroyed one building near Henry Coe State Park east of Morgan Hill continues to threaten about 50 private cabins in the area. The rapidly spreading blaze, called the Lick Fire, began Monday at 1:46 p.m. and was fanned by gusty winds. It is about 10 miles from the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, according to a fire spokesman. The observatory is not endangered, but campers were evacuated from the state park Monday. "It is serious," said San Mateo County Battalion Chief Scott Jalbert, who assisted Cal Fire in tackling...

Amid breezy conditions, firefighters this afternoon were scrambling to fight a brush fire that quickly scorched 200 acres outside of Morgan Hill near Henry Coe State Park, authorities said. Crews are using 10 Cal Fire engines, two helicopters and the DC-10 Air Tanker to battle the Lick Fire. No homes or buildings are currently threatened. Bay Area residents reported thick plumes of smoke billowing out over the ridge line and traffic on Highway 101 between Gilroy and Morgan Hill had slowed. "It is serious," said county Battalion Chief Scott Jalbert. "This has the potential of being a major fire."