Loma Fire Latest: Scorched Acreage Expands To 4,313; Containment Holds At 34%

SANTA CLARA and SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES, CA – The Loma Fire burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains has grown to 4,313 acres and is 34 percent contained, Cal Fire officials said this morning.

The wildfire began around 2:45 p.m. Monday near Loma Prieta and Loma Chiquita roads in southern Santa Clara County, 10 miles northwest of Morgan Hill.

The blaze has destroyed eight homes and nine outbuildings and is currently threatening 325 other structures, Cal Fire officials said.

Nearly 2,000 fire personnel are currently fighting the blaze using 179 fire engines, six air tankers, 16 helicopters, 32 bulldozers and 34 water tenders, Cal Fire officials said.

The fire remained active Thursday, continuing to burn in steep, inaccessible terrain covered by drought-stressed fuels, according to Cal Fire.

Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for the Loma Prieta ridgeline area, including all tributary roads along Summit Road from Soquel San Jose Road to Ormsby Fire Station. This includes Uvas Canyon County Park, Loma Chiquita, Casa Loma and Loma Prieta Way, Cal Fire officials said.

Parts of Croy Road are under an evacuation warning.

An evacuation center is operating at Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church at 16970 De Witt Ave. in Morgan Hill.
All evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Cruz County were lifted Thursday.

Road closures include Loma Chiquita Road one mile east of Highland Way, Summit Road at Ormsby Cutoff, Croy Road three miles west of Uvas Road, Casa Loma and McKean Road, Cal Fire officials said.

Southeasterly winds have sent smoke from the fire into Santa Clara County and the Bay Area that has affected air quality, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Air district officials recommend residents limit their time outdoors, close windows and doors while indoors and prevent outside air from entering by changing settings on their air conditioning units and car ventilation systems to recirculate air.

Smoke exposure can lead to irritated eyes, coughing, scratchy throat and inflamed sinuses, district officials said.

Increased smoke is expected to spread through the county in the coming days and week, according to Santa Clara County public health officials.

Older adults, children and people with respiratory issues are advised to limit their time outdoors when they see or smell smoke, public health officials said.

Santa Cruz County public health officials are also keeping an eye on the air quality.

Anyone experiencing repeated coughing, tightness or pain in their chest, wheezing, difficulty breathing or nausea should contact their medical provider, public health officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

• Also see: How To Help the 33 Adults, 13 Children Now Homeless After Area Apartment Fire

Other fire updates this week from the Bay Area:

• Discarded Cigarette Possible Cause Of Fire That Demolished 4 Homes, Damaged 10 Others, Injured 2, Killed Cat
• Sawmill Fire Hits 100% Containment In Sonoma County
• Soberanes Fire Containment Jumps To 92%
• Iron Horse Trail Arson Suspect Sought For Setting Trail Fires
• Tuesday's Closure Of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Made For Nightmarish Commutes In North Bay
• Teen Playing With Matches Catches Marin Co. Home, Trees On Fire
• Crews Contain 12-Acre Blaze Near Greenfield
• Lockhart Gulch Road Fire: Fully Contained in Scotts Valley

--Bay City News/Photos via Alameda County Fire Department