wildfire
Firefighters respond to a vegetation fire June 25, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Justin Stockman / SCCFD)

A vegetation fire threatening several homes in the 18500 block of Montevina Road above Los Gatos didn’t end up consuming any structures or injuring anybody this afternoon, authorities said.

The blaze sparked around noon and as Santa Clara County Fire Department and Cal Fire crews arrived, they discovered flames covering about one-third of an acre lapping up a steep embankment.

“We had a bunch of resources really close,” said Capt. Justin Stockman, a spokesperson for SCCFD of the response to the fire. “It was initially threatening about five homes up at the top of a private driveway.”

fire resources
SCCFD and Cal Fire crews were deployed rapidly. (Photo courtesy of Justin Stockman / SCCFD)

Putting out the fire was complicated by downed power lines, the slope of the
ground, and the narrow roads in the area, fire officials said.

Around 20 Cal Fire firefighters joined about 40 County firefighters and the blaze was brought under control relatively quickly. No structures were damaged, and the fire was halted at an acre of growth.

Stockman said the positive outcome was due in-part to the efforts of locals in the affected areas who have been hardening their properties against fire danger.

fire near Lexington Reservoir
The fire burned near Lexington Reservoir. (Courtesy of Justin Stockman / SCCFD)

“All the residents up there have done a really good job with defensible space,” he said. “It makes the drops from the helicopters a lot more effective.”

Santa Clara County Community Members are asked to prepare for wildfire season.
More information can be found at sccfd.org/rsg and sccfd.org/evac.

For up to date protective actions, including evacuation orders, please visit
Community.Zonehaven.com.

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Drew Penner is an award-winning Canadian journalist whose reporting has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Good Times Santa Cruz, Los Angeles Times, Scotts Valley Press Banner, San Diego Union-Tribune, KCRW and the Vancouver Sun. Please send your Los Gatos and Santa Cruz County news tips to [email protected].

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