300 structures threatened by Loma Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains

Matt Keller Image
ByMatt Keller KGO logo
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Mandatory evacuations for 1,000-acre wildfire in Santa Cruz Mountains
Hundreds remain threatened Tuesday morning by the Loma Fire burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, Calif. -- Hundreds remain threatened Tuesday morning by the Loma Fire burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains. At last check, it has burned 1,085 acres and is only 5 percent contained.

PHOTOS: Crews battle brush fire in Santa Cruz Mountains

1 of 43
Vintage cars line a property after the Loma fire burned through Loma Chiquita Road near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016.
AP Photo/Noah Berger

At least one structure has been destroyed and no injuries have been reported.

New mandatory evacuation orders have ben ordered for Little Uvas and Croy roads.

Animals are also being evacuated.

RELATED: Loma Fire spreads to at least 1,000 acres in Santa Cruz Mountains

It's tough for firefighters to battle the flames. It's dry, it was hot - although it's cooled off significantly overnight - and the terrain is steep and unfamiliar.

RELATED: Disaster preparedness resources

"After dark is we're fighting fire in unfamiliar terrain with obviously dangers from the fire itself and the movement of the fire. It definitely presents a considerable amount of danger to us, besides just that firefighting aspect," SJPD Capt. Christopher Salcido said.

Crews from all across the Bay Area and the state are already fighting the flames. Aircrafts made big drops trying to slow the fire but 1.000 acres in about six hours is not good.

The flames reached up to 100 feet high.

Evacuation centers have been set up at Soquel High School, the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos and the Presbyterian church on De Witt Avenue in Morgan Hill.

For evacuees who want to get their large animals out of harm's way, two centers have been set up to take them in. Horses can be taken to the Graham Hill Showgrounds in Santa Cruz or the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville.

If you have other animals, please call ahead to see if they can take them.

Evacuations:

Mandatory evacuation orders for the Loma Prieta ridgeline area including all tributary roads along Summit Road from Soquel San Jose Road to Ormsby Fire Station. This includes Uvas Canyon County Park, Loma Chiquita, Casa Loma, Loma Prieta Way, Highland Road and Mount Bache Road. Portions of Croy Road are under an evacuation warning.

Road closures:

Loma Chiquita Road

Summit Road from Soquel San Jose Road to Pole Line Road

Mount Bache Road at Highland Road

Casa Loma Road at McKean/Uvas

Mount Madonna at Ormsby Road

Mount Madonna Road at Pole Line Road

Croy Road at Uvas Road is open to residents only.