Cooler temperatures this week and possible showers this weekend are expected to give hundreds of Cal Fire firefighters a much-needed boost in fighting the Loma Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which by early Wednesday has scorched 2,250 acres, or 3.5 square miles.
"Last night went great," Cal Fire Battalion Chief Scott McLean told reporters early Wednesday. "Granted, the fire did continue to burn. But the lower temperatures are going to be a big help."
Cal Fire officials even said they could probably contain the fire by Monday.
For the last several days, temperatures have been in the high 90s and near 100 degrees, and were considered “hazardous,” by the National Weather Service.
"The fire was burning during the night time as though it were the day time," McLean said.
But Wednesday’s weather conditions were expected to be substantially cooler and last past the weekend. By the end of the week, temperatures should drop to the 60s and mid-70s, according to the NWS. Meteorologists were even predicting some light rain on Sunday and Monday.
That should be great news to the nearly 1,100 firefighters who had contained 10 percent of the fire – 5 percent more than the day before – and were working furiously to protect the 300 homes and communication towers that stood in the fire’s path. Mandatory evacuations were still underway for anyone living in the Loma Prieta ridgeline and nearby surrounding areas. As of Wednesday, one home was destroyed and one was damaged, according to Cal Fire. Six other outbuildings were also destroyed.
The NBC Bay Area helicopter flew over the fire early Wednesday morning; plumes of grey smoke billowed against the dark blue sky. The smoke drifted miles away, prompting the San Jose Unified School District to require principals to keep students inside for the day due to possible health risks.
The fire broke out Monday about 3 p.m. at the southern edge of Santa Clara County off Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road, 20 miles northwest of Morgan Hill. The cause is under investigation.
This is the fourth large wildfire in the area in 14 years: The Croy Fire erupted in 2002, the Summit Fire broke out in 2008, and another Loma Fire burned in 2009.
Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area Chopper
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