Raging Fire In Santa Cruz Mountains Prompts Evacuations
It’s happening again…
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SANTA CRUZ – A wind-whipped wildfire burning out of control threatened several homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Thursday, closing schools and prompting some evacuations.
The blaze, first reported around 5:30 a.m., had grown to 2,000 acres by late morning and was completely uncontained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The flames sent a thick cloud of smoke into the air that could be seen miles away.
The fire is in the mountain range that separates Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, and the rural area is dotted with homes. At least 50 homes and five commercial properties were threatened by the blaze, officials said.
As many as 10 structures were destroyed by the flames, and at least three schools in the area closed their doors Thursday because of the fire, according to Cal Fire. No injuries have been reported.
“The fuels are very heavy and dry from a pretty mild winter. With that wind added in as a factor, it’s a pretty good recipe for fire,” said Battalion Chief Mike Marcucci.
About 200 firefighters were on the scene and hundreds more were on the way from around Northern California, said Herman Dekruyff, assistant information officer with Cal Fire.
Not this again!
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