2,000 Acres Burning in Santa Cruz Mountains

22 May

More than 2,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 90 miles south of San Francisco, have gone up in flames since 6:00 a.m. this morning. Officials don’t know what caused the fire, but dry, fast (up to 40 mph) winds are making the situation very difficult.

The fire is zero percent contained as of now, according to officials, and has already burned at least 10 homes to the ground. Another 50 homes are threatened. The fire is burning near Highway 17 and Summit Road, on Mount Madonna.

Hundreds of people, including children at a school camp, have been evacuated. No injuries have been reported, but officials have closed down roads in the surrounding areas to keep people away from the fires.

Hundreds of worried pet owners are fleeing the fire with their horses, dogs, cats, and birds. Anyone with barns or shelters for the animals are being asked to step forward to help house the pets.