175 Firefighters Battle Skeggs Fire Near Woodside, Suspected Cause Released

UPDATE 8:45 P.M.: A fire in the Woodside area is now estimated to have burned some 50 to 60 acres in the region, fire officials said Tuesday afternoon. The so-called Skeggs Fire was just 10 percent contained as night fell.

The latest update from fire officials indicates that more than 175 firefighters are assigned to the incident.

"There is a threat to the KV transmission lines," Chief Ghiorso said in an emailed alert. "No structures are threatened and no evacuations are needed at this time."

UPDATE 1:40 P.M.: Roughly 130 firefighters and aircraft are battling a 50-acre wildfire near the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve west of Woodside in San Mateo County today, fire officials said.

The Skeggs Fire was first reported around 7:45 p.m. Monday, according to Cal Fire. It's burning in the hills near Skyline Boulevard and Bear Gulch Road.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but Cal Fire Fire Capt. Chris Walters believes it may have been connected to lightning strikes in the area.

#SkeggsFire [update] 3 miles west of Woodside (San Mateo County) is now 30 acres. pic.twitter.com/iEUMkGao4o
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 12, 2017

There were a total of seven fires confirmed after Monday night's thunderstorms, according to Walters. Three of them are still burning and the Skeggs Fire is the largest.

#SkeggsFire [update] off Skyline Rd and Skeggs Point, 3 miles west of Woodside (San Mateo County) is now 50 acres. pic.twitter.com/KkEsSf4Es3
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 12, 2017

The Woodside Fire Protection District is assisting Cal Fire, and sheriff's deputies have closed Kings Mountain Road from Skyline Boulevard to Woodside Road this morning. Huddart Park and Wunderlich County Park are also closed.

There is no estimate yet for when the fire will be contained.

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ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

WOODSIDE, CA — A fire is burning this morning near the El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve west of Woodside in San Mateo County, county officials said.

County emergency officials issued an alert at 7:26 a.m. about a fire seen in the hills near Skyline Boulevard and Bear Gulch Road. Fire crews are in the area and aircraft will be assisting in the efforts to extinguish the blaze, county officials said.

"There is a plan to close Kings Mountain Road from the Park to Skyline Blvd," fire officials said. "We ask that all traffic stay clear of Kings Mountain Road to allow Fire apparatus easy access."

"Presently there is no plan to evacuate any Roads, specifically Bear Gulch East," Chief Ghiorso said at 9:40 a.m. "We will continue to monitor fire and advise on evacuation if the fire grows or spreads towards the residents on Bear Gulch East."

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Shutterstock