LOMA FIRE: The Loma Fire continues to burn in the Santa Cruz Mountains and more evacuations were added this morning. Watch as Sky Fox captures images of the fire this morning: http://bit.ly/2dbO77a
Posted by KTVU Channel 2 on Tuesday, September 27, 2016
A massive fire in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains grew rapidly Monday. It started around 2:45 pm as a structure fire and grew to 1000 acres Monday night. By then, crews had only achieved 5% containment. Cal Fire is teaming up with San Jose Fire Departments and multiple other agencies in an attempt to control the blaze. The fire is located north of the border between Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, in the area of Loma Prieta and Loma Chiquita roads. The terrain will make it even tougher to fight, as it is steep and rugged.
Due to the proximity of the #LomaFire the KMUX radar had been powered down. Normal operation will resume as soon as it is deem safe.
— NWSBayArea (@NWSBayArea) September 27, 2016
Upwards of 300 homes were threatened as the fire grew. Officials helped evacuate people in those areas, encouraging them to go to the centers established at local high schools. Though Highway 17 has not been impacted, it also came very close to cellular and communications transmissions towers. A geothermal power producing facility in Sonoma County could also be at risk.
Above average temperatures and breezy winds from a building ridge primed the atmosphere for potential fire starts and spreads.
Photo courtesy of NWS Bay Area.
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Karissa Klos