WT3651 in Los Gatos Christmas Parade

Watertender 3651 dressed as Rudolph and bedecked by numerous Loma Costanoan Indian Guides and Princesses once again participated in the Parade. Special thanks to Barbara and Lance Lougee, Randy Weeton and Jaci Viskochil for helping lash down the kids and Driving. Unfortunately, this picture does not show Danny Franks and his Antique Engine.

Small Fire off Schulties Road

Cal Fire crews are currently mopping up a small blaze off of Schulties Road. There is no need to take any personal action (evacuations, etc.) at this time.

Highland Way partially closed due to vehicle accident.

Highland way down to one lane at Old San Jose due to an overturned vehicle.

The roadway was opened by 10:30 that evening.

Smoke near Bear Creek and Deer Creek

Cal Fire, County Fire and Boulder Creek Fire units are currently engaged in the suppression of an illegal burn in that area. Copter 106 was used to locate the seat of the fire. The fire is being extinguished and is not a threat at this time.


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Old San Jose Rd. down to one lane.

Old San Jose Road, just above Summit Woods was down to one lane earlier tonight due to a vehicle accident. It was clear as of 10:15 PM.

Wildland Fire North of Laurel curve on Highway 17

There is no evacuation needed at this time for the fire on highway 17 just North of Laurel curve. Cal Fire, Scotts Valley Fire and Loma Prieta Fire responded to a report of a motorcycle injury accident with the extension of fire into the vegetation. The fire was quickly suppressed. The injured patient was flown to a nearby trauma center via Lifeflight. Santa Clara County Fire assisted on the LZ.

Hutchinson Fire Out

There is no evacuation needed at this time for the fire at Hutchinson Road. The fire is out.

Cal Fire warns about illegal burns

September 24, 2007

Felton

Cal Fire warns about illegal burns

Cal Fire officials were warning residents not to conduct burns in their backyards after firefighters responded to several illegal burns on Sunday, including an expensive helicopter trip to a wooded area that county taxpayers will soon be billed for.

In all, there were an estimated dozen backyard burns in unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County throughout Sunday, said Bill Tomkovic, a fire captain in Felton's emergency command center for Cal Fire.

"People think that just because it rained that they can burn," he said. "But the fact is, summer isn't over just yet. It could get hot and some of these burns could smolder for a while, then start a huge fire, and nobody wants that"

The burn season doesn't start until Dec. 1, he said, adding it will last until April 30. Until then, only those who have an agricultural permit can burn.

The illegal burns, Tomkovic said, were reported in Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Zayante, Soquel, Loma Prieta and Corralitos.

In one incident, he said that a helicopter had to be dispatched to Redwood Lodge, a street just north of Soquel and south of Loma Prieta.

"People will be billed for the suppression cost," Tomkovic said.

You can find this story online at:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2007/September/24/local/stories/06local.htm
Copyright © Santa Cruz Sentinel. All rights reserved.

Cutoff time at Lick Helitack, 1901 in the evening.

Crash Protection at Lick Helitack

Watertender 3651 waiting in the fuel line at base camp on the Lick Fire.

Highland Way closed at 25961 (near Mar Vista)due to downed power lines. Some areas have experienced power outages. PGE is on scene. We have no current time line for restoration of power or road access.

Structure save on Bear Creek

Greetings,

This morning at 05:25, CalFire, Loma Prieta Fire and an engine each from Boulder Creek Fire and Santa Clara County Fire were dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Bear Creek Road. Upon arrival, the detached garage was found to be fully involved with extension to the main structure and the wildland.

Quick action by personnel at the scene resulted in rapid containment of the wildland and a major save of most of the structure. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Fire at bear creek no evacuation needed at this time.

Structure Fire on Bear Creek 2

Structure Fire on Bear Creek 1

Lost bikers found in Demo Forest Saturday night

Bikers found in demo forest are safe and sound

Training pictures below

The four pictures below were taken during training and sent from the field arriving on the site in less than a minute.

Adding another length of hose

Practicing a progressive hoselay

clamping the line

Training for wildland fire

Loma Prieta Fire Blog

Greetings,

We are trying out a new way to communicate with the community when events are moving quickly. Check in from time to time and let us know what you think.

Thanks,

Alex Leman
Chief Officer
Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire and Rescue