UPDATE: Estrada Fire Containment 35%; Evacuation Orders Downgraded as Crews Mop Up
WATSONVILLE (CBS SF) -- The Estrada Fire, which sparked in south Santa Cruz County when a prescribed burn jumped its containment lines Friday, is now 35 percent contained and has burned 148 acres, Cal Fire said Saturday evening
The fire began on Hazel Dell Road and Hidden Canyon northwest of Watsonville, according to officials. As of noon Saturday, evacuation orders had been reduced to evacuation warnings in the Pajaro area: PAJ-E001, PAJ-E002, PAJ-E003, and PAJ-E007. The evacuation warning was lifted in Zone CRZ-E046, Cal Fire said.
Crews are "making good progress" in containing the fire, according to Cal Fire. The agency is asking the public to avoid the fire area and the roads leading to the fire area to allow for residents to travel home and for firefighters to continue to work on the fire.
Update: #EstradaFire near Hazel Dell and Hidden Canyon Road, Northwest of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County is 148 acres and 35% contained. @CALFIRECZU https://t.co/C9TrKqzVrU pic.twitter.com/o6wFVIGC6j
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) October 17, 2021
"The fire did not grow last night," said Angela Bernheisel. "Conditions calmed down significantly overnight."
A Cal Fire prescribed burn in the area Friday afternoon jumped its containment lines near Corralitos Friday. In response, firefighting crews from Cal Fire and Santa Cruz County local fire departments attacked the blaze and surrounded the it with retardant Friday night.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders and warnings and an evacuation center opened at Corralitos Community Church. That evacuation center closed at 10 p.m. because of light usage, according to Santa Cruz County officials.
- More Info: Cal Fire Incident Page With Evacuation Map
A 20-acre prescribed burn at Estrada Ranch was scheduled for 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday. It was intended to reduce dry fuel and prevent a wildland fire. Cal Fire warned residents on social media to expect to see smoke from the controlled burn.
It's not yet known what happened to cause the flames to jump the line around 2:40 p.m.
Noe Torres, a Watsonville resident, said that, when he saw wildlife trying to escape the fire, he knew he had to prepare for the worst.
"I saw a bunch of wild turkeys coming down, that was scary," Torres said.
Torres said he then turned on his sprinklers to protect his property.
Kim Miles said she's preparing just in case the wind shifts.
"Absolutely," she said. "Grab some personal things that can't be replaced, pictures and whatnot, have my car ready if we need to go."
When asked if she would be able to sleep tonight, she responded, "Very lightly."
At least 30 engines responded to the blaze Friday afternoon as it flashed across hilly terrain covered in oak and grass.