Santa Cruz County Fire Latest: 6 Firefighters Injured, 4 Structures Destroyed

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Six firefighters have been injured while 884 firefighters battle a grass fire in Santa Cruz County, Cal Fire officials said. Four structures have been destroyed in the Bear Fire, which has burned about 271 acres since it started late Monday night. The firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his hand, according to Cal Fire Division Chief Angela Bernheisel. The firefighter is being treated at a nearby hospital.

The blaze broke out along Bear Creek Canyon Road just before 10:30 p.m. on Monday. Evacuations were ordered for the communities of Las Cumbres and Deer Creek and the Bear Creek Canyon Road area, according to Cal Fire.

On Tuesday, one firefighter suffered a broken wrist and facial lacerations in a fall and is being flown out of the fire area, Cal Fire Division Chief Angela Bernheisel said. Another firefighter suffered smoke inhalation injuries, Bernheisel said.

Also See: California Wildfire Victims Seek Help After Losing Homes

Fire officials say the steep, dry terrain is a challenge for crews battling the blaze. The low humidity is hampering the firefighting efforts.

Evacuation centers have been opened at Lakeside Elementary School at 19621 Black Road in Los Gatos and the Zayante Fire Department at 7700 E. Zayante Road in Felton. Animals can be taken to the Santa Cruz County Animal Services at 2200 Seventh Ave. in Santa Cruz. Large animals are being accepted at the Graham Hill Showgrounds at 1145 Graham Hill Road in Santa Cruz.

Road closures:

• Bear Creek Road at Dear Creek Road
• Bear Creek Road at Hawk Ridge Road
• Bear Creek Road at Highway 35
• Bear Creek Road at Highway 9
• Bear Creek Canyon Road
• Beatty Ridge Road
• Favre Ridge Road
• Grizzly Rock Road
• Hawks Ridge Road
• Knuth Road
• Mountain Lion Road
• Las Cumbres Road
• Miller Ridge Road
• Oak Ridge Road
• Old Vineyard Road
• Hartman Creek Road
• Dons Lane
• Rons Road
• Shear Creek Road
• Skyline Ridge Road
• Sunset Ridge Road

Screenshot courtesy Santa Cruz SO via Twitter