Santa Cruz County fires prompt evacuations

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) — Evacuations were issued in parts of Santa Cruz County Tuesday due to several fires burning in the area.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Offices, the following evacuation orders were in place:

• Nunes Rd
• Gillette Rd
• Willow Heights
• Ben’s Way
• Halton Rd

According to Cal Fire, there are five main active fires burning in Santa Cruz County:

Freedom Fire (North of Watsonville)

• Freedom Road, north of Watsonville
• 37 acres, 20% contained
• Evacuations (Nunes Rd)
• Estimated 100 homes were evacuated

Panther Ridge Fire (Boulder Creek)

• Staph Road west of Highway 9
• 27.65 acres, 98% contained
• Evacuations

Empire Fire (Boulder Creek)

• Alba Rd at Empire Grade
• 6 acres, 100% contained
• No structures threatened
• No evacuations

North Butano Fire (San Mateo County)

• 10 acres, 95% contained
• No structures threatened

Fanning Fire (Ben Lomond)

• Fanning Grade Rd west of Hwy 9
• 18.81 acres, 95% contained
• Burning in timber

China Grade Fire (Santa Cruz County)

• China Grade Rd and Foxglove Lane
• 20 acres, 100% contained
• No evacuations
• Burning in timber

Cal Fire said while the agency responded to multiple fires overnight, most have been contained and controlled.

A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Corralitos Community Church located at 26 Browns Valley Road.

The center will close at 7 p.m.

Located at Corralitos Community Church, 26 Browns Valley Rd., Corralitos, the temporary evacuation center will provide residents displaced by the fires with refreshments, resources and links to critical services including shelter if necessary.

— Santa Cruz County (@sccounty) January 19, 2021

The temporary evacuation center at Corralitos Community Church will close at 7 pm. If you are displaced by ongoing fires and need assistance, Red Cross will staff the center until that time.

— Santa Cruz County (@sccounty) January 20, 2021