santa cruz fire

Santa Cruz Mtns Fire O.T. & Kossack check-in

A wildfire in the Santa Cruz mountains has burned more than 1,000 acres, and has now been declared "out of control." Some structures have been destroyed.
High, eratic winds are driving the flames and making it difficult to get fire suppression aircraft into the area. This is in an area with dense forestation.
Several local schools were closed. One school first used as an evacuation site was subsequently evacuated.
Many people in the area have large livestock that need to be evacuated as well.

The fire started at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday off Summit Road near Loma Prieta Road in the Santa Cruz mountains.
NBC11 coverage

The flames are being fanned by gusty winds out of the northwest that are predicted to hit 35 mph today. Aerial photos of the fire show the plume of smoke has spread south to Carmel.
S.F. Chron

FoundingFatherDAR's diary :: ::
Update 1: CBS news is reporting the fire has grown to more than 2,000 acres. http://cbs5.com/...
Update 2: Thanks to SallyCat for posting these links Google map and local Monterey news
Additional data - CalFire page
Update 3: From KSBW news in Monterey (link above) -

Homeowners were ordered to evacuate from the Maymen Flat, Eureka Canyon Road, Summit Road and Ormsby Cut-Off Road area. {snip} close to Mount Madonna County Park and reportedly moving toward Corralitos.
Info on large animal evacuation sites -

The Santa Cruz County Animal Services Authority is assisting with large animal evacuation to the Fairgrounds. People needing assistance moving livestock should call 454-7303. The following roads have been closed:
Poleline Road at Summit Drive
Mt. Madonna Park Road is open to residents only
Eureka Canyon at Hames
Browns Valley at Corralitos Road
Highlands at Summit
Summit Road at Highway 17
Summit at San Jose Road
Update 11:40 a.m. - could not get many specifics from NBC11 news other than the fire continues to spread, although water and fire retardant drops have helped save some structures that were threatened.
MT. Madonna Park has been closed as an evacuation center.
People with large livestock are urged to take them to the Santa Cruz Co. Fairgrounds. Small domestic animals can be taken to the Scotts Valley animal shelter.