California Wildfire Prompts Mass Evacuation
California Wildfire Prompts Mass Evacuation
26 May 2008
published by www.torontodailynews.com
CA, USA — The wind-whipped wildfire tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, early Thursday morning prompting mass evacuations.
The wind-whipped wildfire tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, early Thursday morning prompting mass evacuations.
800 residents were evacuated when the blaze ignited in an empty lot near Summit Road and quickly engulfed the dense, bone-dry chaparral covering the steep slopes, scorching 3,900 acres and at least 29 homes.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties to allow access to state funds. The firefighting effort has cost $6.1 million so far, Coursey said.
The Summit Fire was 60 percent contained late Sunday, after burning nearly 4,000 acres, 29 houses and 18 outbuildings. Cal Fire officials said they hope to have the fire contained Tuesday.
Almost 3,000 fire personnel were working the blaze Sunday. The blaze still threatened 550 homes and 20 commercial buildings.
