Tag Archives: wildland fire

US

Evacuation Orders Downgraded to Warnings as Crews Mop Up Estrada Fire Near Watsonville – CBS San Francisco

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WATSONVILLE (CBS SF) — A wildland fire burning near Watsonville that forced evacuations after being sparked by a prescribed burn Friday afternoon was 10% contained by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters made “significant progress” overnight against the Estrada Fire in south Santa Cruz County, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said Saturday. Officials later updated the size of the fire to 83 acres.

“The fire did not grow last night,” said Angela Bernheisel. “We expect a lot more containment today and we hope to be able to lift the evacuation orders tonight. Conditions calmed down significantly overnight.”

A Cal Fire prescribed burn in the area Friday afternoon jumped its containment lines near Corralitos Friday. In response, firefighting crews from Cal Fire and Santa Cruz County local fire departments attacked the blaze and surrounded the it with retardant Friday night.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders and warnings and an evacuation center opened at Corralitos Community Church. That evacuation center closed at 10 p.m. because of light usage, according to Santa Cruz County officials.

The evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings around noon on Saturday.

A 20-acre prescribed burn at Estrada Ranch was scheduled for 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday. It was intended to reduce dry fuel and prevent a wildland fire. Cal Fire warned residents on social media to expect to see smoke from the controlled burn.

It’s not yet known what happened to cause the flames to jump the line around 2:40 p.m.

Noe Torres, a Watsonville resident, said that, when he saw wildlife trying to escape the fire, he knew he had to prepare for the worst.

“I saw a bunch of wild turkeys coming down, that was scary,” Torres said.

Torres said he then turned on his sprinklers to protect his property.

Kim Miles said she’s preparing just in case the wind shifts.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Grab some personal things that can’t be replaced, pictures and whatnot, have my car ready if we need to go.”

When asked if she would be able to sleep tonight, she responded, “Very lightly.”

 

At least 30 engines responded to the blaze Friday afternoon as it flashed across hilly terrain covered in oak and grass.

At least seven Cal Fire air tankers attacked the fire but were grounded after nightfall.



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World

Lake County News,California – Vehicle crash leads to wildland fire near Hidden Valley Lake

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This article is being updated with new information.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — State and local firefighters and law enforcement are at the scene of a wildland fire near Hidden Valley Lake.

The Coyote fire is believed to have begun as the result of a vehicle crash, according to early reports from the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said there was a vehicle rollover just after 5 p.m. Friday near the Coyote Grade on Highway 29 north of Hidden Valley Lake that resulted in a vehicle fire.

The fire was reported to have gotten into the brush and then jumped to the other side of the highway.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m., the fire was reported to be 10 acres, with additional firefighting resources dispatched, according to CHP and radio sources.

Caltrans was requested to help control traffic, with vehicles being turned around at Hofacker Lane.

Law enforcement was reported to be at the scene conducting some evacuations in the area.

Meantime, Cal Fire air attack was working with three helicopters and six tankers to stop the fire.

Air attack indicated over the radio that they are attempting to corral the fire to stop it from reaching homes in the area of Conestoga Road, at the north end of Hidden Valley Lake.

More engines also are being directed into the area for structure protection.

Firefighting task force engine groups from Colusa and Mendocino counties also are on the scene assisting.

Just before 6 p.m., incident command indicated that in addition to an evacuation order for Conestoga Road, an evacuation warning is being issued for Deer Hill Road north of Source Grove Road and its subsidiary roads.

At approximately 6:06 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a Nixle alert for the evacuation order for residents of Conestoga Road, urging residents to leave immediately.

At 6:19 p.m., radio traffic indicated that evacuations were being expanded to all of Zone 194, which includes the area south of the northern boundary of the Hidden Valley Subdivision, east of Highway 29, north of Spruce Grove Road, west of the Spruce Grove Road and the Jerusalem Grade intersection.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m., the size of the fire was estimated to be up to 40 acres.

Minutes later, the fire was reported to be 60 acres, with several structures impacted on Conestoga Road, with active fire on right flank with short-range spotting.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m., the size of the fire was estimated to be up to 40 acres.

Minutes later, the fire was reported to be 60 acres, with several structures impacted on Conestoga Road, with active fire on right flank with short-range spotting.

The CHP reported just after 6:30 p.m. that a hard closure of Highway 29 between Hofacker Lane and Hidden Valley Lake Road is in effect.

That was followed at 6:42 p.m. by another Nixle from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, saying that it has implemented a full evacuation warning for all of Zone 194, with an evacuation shelter being established at Twin Pine Casino.

The fire’s size was estimated to be 100 acres and 40% contained as of shortly after 7 p.m., according to radio traffic.

Several tankers were released just after 7:45 p.m., with air attack reporting the fire is looking good. Plans are to reenforce the fire’s south end fire line for the night.

Deputies also are reported to be patrolling the evacuation area.

Copter 104 reported to have mapped the fire at 137 acres shortly before being released just before 8:15 p.m. More mapping is expected to be completed to firm up the estimate.

Scanner traffic indicated that the fire is expected to continue burning through the night, with priority on the south end of the fire.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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