Fire Spreads At Santa Teresa County Park; IBM, School Evacuated

SANTA CLARA VALLEY, CA — A fire at Curie Drive and San Ignacio Avenue at Santa Teresa County Park has grown to about 85 acres and is 80 percent contained this evening, according to San Jose fire officials.The vegetation fire was first reported at 2:58 p.m. Tuesday. The quick-moving fire had the potential to grow to more than 300 acres if firefighters were unable to contain it, Capt. Daniel Vega said.

A shelter-in-place order was in effect for occupants in the surrounding area. IBM and the Muriel Wright School "Girl's Ranch" were evacuated but Vega said there was no threat to homes.

Vega said that firefighters' goal was to prevent the fire from reaching the Girl's Ranch. Firefighters succeeded.

No one was injured and no structures burned in the fire.

Earlier today firefighters stopped the forward progress of the fire toward the IBM building with an air attack, but the blaze was endangering structures as it burned through flash fuels, such as dry pine needles, leaves and grass.

Cal Fire officials worked with San Jose firefighters in a unified command, according to Vega.

Van Elgort said firefighters will be working through the evening to gain full containment.

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By Bay City News Service

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