Loma Fire: 90% Containment; Evacuations Lifted For Santa Clara County [UPDATE]

SANTA CRUZ AND SANTA CLARA COUNTIES, CA – Evacuations orders were lifted today for Santa Clara County in a nearly 4,500-acre fire burning for more than a week in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Cal Fire officials said.

The massive blaze that began on Sept. 26 near Loma Prieta and Loma Chiquita roads northwest of Morgan Hill has burned 4,474 acres and was 90 percent contained as of this morning, with full containment estimated by Saturday, Cal Fire officials said.

All evacuation orders were lifted at 9 a.m. today in Santa Clara County and road closures are no longer in place, according to Cal Fire.

Santa Cruz County residents ordered to leave their homes were allowed to return last week.

The fire has destroyed 12 homes and 16 outbuildings, damaged one other residence and is threatening 51 other structures, Cal Fire officials said.

There were 986 firefighters as of this morning assigned to the blaze, according to Cal Fire.

About five firefighters have been hospitalized for minor injuries, treated and released, according to Martin.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Food, goods and other donations for those affected by the fire can be sent to the Salvation Army in Santa Cruz and Gilroy and Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville.

State law doesn't allow Cal Fire crews to solicit or accept donations, agency officials said.

The American Red Cross doesn't have enough space at its facilities for donations, but money donations can be made online at http://www.redcross.org/donate/donations.

Also see:

• Man Sentenced For Fatal DUI Crash That Killed 4 Last Year
• Phony Doctor Hopes For 'Healing' For Women He Sexually Assaulted

--Bay City News/Image via Santa Cruz Sheriff