Jun 20, 2008 11:50 pm US/Pacific
1,000-Acre Watsonville Wildfire Destroys Homes
WATSONVILLE (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
A fast-moving, 1,000-acre wildfire forced 2,100 mandatory evacuations and closed a six-mile stretch of scenic Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County on Friday, destroying as many as 15 homes.
"There are more homes threatened, but we're not exactly sure how many right now," said Chris Hirsch, a spokeswoman for Santa Cruz County.
About 600 firefighters had made progress by late Friday night against the Trabing Fire, which was burning north of Watsonville. It was 50-percent contained, with full containment expected sometime Saturday.
Thick plumes of smoke from the fire could be seen as far north as San Jose and a public health advisory was issued as a result. Health officials advised people with respiratory problems, young children and older adults to avoid exposure to the smoky air.
One person reportedly suffered severe smoke inhalation and was taken to an area hospital.
Strong winds helped spread the flames as helicopters dropped water and fire retardant and reinforcements were called in, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Paul Van Gerwen said.
The fire was first reported around 2 p.m. near Highway 1 at Buena Vista Drive. Van Gerwen said its cause was under investigation, but noted that as many as six separate grass fires appeared to merge into a larger blaze.
The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 1 from Freedom Boulevard in Aptos in the north to Riverside Drive in Watsonville to the south.
In addition to the highway, the fire also closed Larking Valley Road at Fieldbrook Lane, at Buena Vista Drive and at Mar Monte Avenue. It closed Freedom Boulevard at White Road and at Bowker Road.
CHP Officer Grant Boles said it was estimated Highway 1 would reopen sometime after midnight. He said the burning area had a lot of dead grass and vegetation.
"There are numerous fires at different locations. There's a lot developing at this point," he said. "The fire initially started somewhere near the freeway and it's having a significant impact on freeway traffic."
Most of the over 2,000 evacuated residents came from the Larkin Valley Road and Buena Vista Drive area bordered by Highway 1, Airport Boulevard and Freedom Boulevard.
The Sheriff's office also evacuated Trabing Road south to Larkin Valley Road; Larkin Valley Road from Old Adobe Road north to Mar Monte Avenue; Manfre Road from Buena Vista Drive to Larkin Valley Road; and Calabasas Road from White Road to Freedom Boulevard.
Evacuees were sent to a Red Cross shelter set up at Aptos High School at 100 Mariner Way in Aptos. Another evacuation center and overnight shelter was set up at Lakeview Middle School at 2350 East Lake Ave., south of the county fairgrounds.
Any residents in need of assistance or with questions for services through the Red Cross should call (831) 462-2881, Red Cross spokeswoman Lindsay Segersin said.
Santa Cruz County Animal Service was providing help to evacuees who needed to find a place for pets. Horses could be housed at the county fairgrounds. For information, officials said residents should call (831) 454-7303 and select prompt 2.
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