For the second time in two years, residents residing in a rugged area of the Santa Cruz Mountains straddling the Santa Clara-Santa Cruz County line south of San Jose find themselves confronted with a raging wildfire.
This time units from CAL FIRE and other area departments responded to reports of flames in the area of Maymen Flats and Eureka Canyon just before 3 a.m., on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Firefighters were immediately confronted with steep terrain, low humidities, and winds gusting to over 40 miles-per-hour. Over the next few hours, the fire grew to several hundred acres, threatened dozens of homes, and prompted CAL FIRE to request assistance from fire departments all over California, including strike teams for immediate need structure protection.
The fire has consumed over 600 acres, destroying one home, several out buildings, and threatening nearly 250 additional structures. With nearly 1,000 firefighters currently on the lines, and hundreds more making their way to the area, it is hoped that the current estimate of 20% containment can be increased significantly before a predicted increase in winds returns to the area.
At least one inmate firefighter has been injured as the investigation into the cause of the blaze continues.
