Brush Fire Near DeLaveaga Park Sends Massive Smoke Plume Into Santa Cruz Area

SANTA CRUZ, CA – A vegetation fire burning near DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz on Friday afternoon sent a massive smoke plume into the area. Officials' initial estimate was that it was about two acres in size.

According to Deputy Chief Jake Hess with Cal Fire, the blaze was battled with both air and ground resources. The location of the fire was considered a "mutual threat zone," so local government and Cal Fire resources are both assigned.

"The fire is in heavy fuel, it's burning in a eucalyptus grove, so it's going to send up concentrated smoke," Hess told Patch around 3 p.m.

At about 5 p.m., Cal Fire reported crews made good progress and that the "fire is contained in a heavy eucalyptus stand and crews are in the mop-up phase."

Images on social media began showing up around 2:15 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

#Fire at DeLaveaga Park! #santacruz pic.twitter.com/b608W5Vsvq
— Adam Jacobson (@adamted) July 7, 2017

Yep. It's a fire. I can hear the air support. #santacruz pic.twitter.com/VBHbSOIxR3
— Teri Peters (@hipEchik) July 7, 2017

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Image via Twitter user @adamted, used with permission