Two Firefighters Injured Battling Santa Cruz County Wildfire
CORRALITOS (CBS SF) -- Two Cal Fire firefighters were injured early Sunday while escaping a falling tree as they battled the Buzzard Fire in rural Santa Cruz County, officials said.
By the time crews got to the fire, the flames had spread and covered about half an acre
The firefighters were working in the area of Eureka Canyon in Corralitos at 6 a.m. when the tree -- weakened by the fire -- tumbled toward them.
Both were reportedly in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital. They were released Sunday evening.
The Buzzard Fire broke out early Sunday morning near Buzzard Lagoon Road in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. The forward progress of the fire has been stopped at less than 2 acres and is 50% contained.
The cause of the fire was under investigation. Ground crews and one helicopter would at scene throughout Sunday to reinforce containment lines and mop up.
The fire started at around 1 a.m. Sunday morning as a vehicle--a minivan with its roof partially collapsed--was on fire in the middle of the road.
"We are still investigating and running down leads on what vehicle was doing there, and how it may be associated with the fire," said Ian Larkin of Cal Fire.
There was an event happening nearby at the time of the fire and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff was called in to evacuate about 100 people.
The event was a rave taking place illegally on public forest land.
"I don't know if the rave is actually connected to the fire, but we did receive word that there was a rave in the area, not necessarily where the fire was located, but in the general area above the location of the fire," said Larkin.