Santa Cruz Mountains blaze now 75 percent contained

Rain, cooler weather helped slow fire that burned nearly 400 acres

The Bear Fire that has burned nearly 400 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains is now 75 percent contained, as about 370 firefighters continue to knock down the blaze that erupted near Boulder Creek last Monday.

That’s less than the peak of 500 fire personnel that were committed to the Bear Fire earlier this week, before rain and cooler weather helped efforts.

Officials have said that they expect to have the fire contained by Tuesday, and on Saturday the fire was being confined to the area between Bear Creek Road and Deer Creek Road, where it is believed to have started. Containment increased from 66 percent on Saturday to 75 percent on Sunday.

Nine firefighters have been injured while battling the blaze in steep and treacherous terrain.

“Crews continue to establish and reinforce containment lines around the fire and conduct fire suppression repair,” reads an update issued by Cal Fire on Sunday morning. “Hazards from fire-weakened trees and steep inac- cessible terrain continue to present major challenges.” Four structures have been destroyed, but no other buildings are currently threatened. Fire investigators, along with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, continue to look into the causes of the fire, but they have determined it started on a 30acre property in the 800 block of Bear Creek Canyon Road.

Evacuation orders remained in place Sunday morning for Bear Creek Canyon Road, Deer Creek Road, Rons Road, Dons Road and their tributary streets in the fire area.

If you are an evacuee who needs somewhere to stay overnight, call 1-866272-2237.

STAFF FILE PHOTO A structure along Bear Creek Canyon is in ruins during the second day of the Bear Fire in Boulder Creek on Wednesday. Officials said the fire is now mostly contained and is expected to fully contained by Tuesday. Evacuations remain in place in the area.