Firefighters battle two blazes in forested areas

Cause of both remains under investigation

BOULDER CREEK >> Firefighters on Monday battled two fires in the Santa Cruz Mountains in locations in the footprint of last summer’s CZU Lightning Complex fire.

The first blaze, known as the Grade fire, was contained to 7.5 acres at around noon, officials from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a tweet. Smoke was spotted at about 9:30 a.m. burning near China Grade Road and the North Butano Truck Trail, officials said.

Firefighters from Cal Fire and the Boulder Creek Fire Department battled the blaze, containing it at about 12:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported, and the cause was under investigation.

Firefighters received a report of the second fire, called the Hihn fire, just before 3 p.m., near the Hihn Hammond Truck Trail, in Big Basin State Park. Officials said the fire was not connected to the Grade fire and was initially reported as burning two acres of heavy timber.

By 4:45 p.m., the fire had grown to four acres and was burning off Gazos Creek and N. Escape roads, near the park’s headquarters. Officials reported that the fire was 50% contained by 6 p.m., with a helicopter making aerial drops.

As of Tuesday morning, Cal Fire reported the containment at 90%.

Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Last year, lightning strikes on Aug. 16 ignited fires that spread into forested areas in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. The fires merged into the CZU Lightning Complex fire, which burned through more than 86,000 acres, destroyed 1,490 structures and killed one person.

The fire also swept through the 18,000-acre Big Basin Redwoods State Park. While its historic redwoods were expected to survive, the blaze destroyed the park’s historic visitor center, headquarters, park amphitheater, museum and store. It also destroyed more than 100 buildings, including ranger homes, and 225 campsites, 35 tent cabins, 46 pedestrian bridges, the park’s electrical system and hundreds of signs, fences, wooden stairs and other park features.

The park’s historic core and its redwood remain closed due to the damage. Parks officials recently reopened the Rancho del Oso area of the park off Highway 1 and near the coast.