Saratoga Eden Fire 50-Percent Contained

SARATOGA, CA -- A challenging vegetation fire in Saratoga -- the Eden Fire, which was first reported at 3:19 p.m. Monday on Mt. Eden Road west of Pierce Road along the vineyard-dotted hills in western Saratoga --knocked out power and water to six families but was 50-percent contained Tuesday afternoon and the families have power again, Santa Clara County fire officials said.

When the power went out the families they lost water service because pumps for the water would no longer work.

Fire officials said no one has been injured in the 10-acre blaze and no structures are threatened, but there's a lot for the fire to burn, such as heavy brush. Also, the terrain is steep and hard to access, Santa Clara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Falarski said.

Chief Fire Investigator Ryan Cronin said power lines have hampered some air operations and the availability of water has also been a challenge.

But there was no wind overnight and the air was moist, which helped firefighters.

They stopped the forward progress of the fire Tuesday morning and by 8 a.m. the fire was 40-percent contained.

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About 70 firefighters, including crews from Gilroy, San Jose and Spring Valley, were working to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters hoped that by this evening they'd have the fire 75 percent contained, Falarski said.

A fire helicopter missed three drops and was grounded as a precaution after a recreational drone was seen flying in the area.

"That impeded operations and put firefighters at risk," Cronin said. "Their operations really hamper our activities."

Falarski said the helicopter did not make contact with the drone, but it landed to ensure the safety of crews in the air and on the ground.

Fire officials found the drone and the situation is under investigation.

Cronin said Cal Fire is in the midst of a campaign to make people aware of the danger drones pose to firefighters during a firefighting operation.

Evacuations have not been ordered for residents in the area. A shelter-in-place advisory issued Monday evening has since been lifted, Falarski said.

No roads are closed, but fire officials are asking people to avoid Mt. Eden Road if possible.

Cronin encourages people to keep up the defensible space around their homes to reduce the chance a fire will damage their home.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Image via Santa Clara County Fire Department/Twitter