The Summit Fire was a wildfire that started on May 22, 2008 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near Corralitos, California, United States. The fire was fully contained on May 27, 2008.[2] No injuries or fatalities occurred, with the exception of twelve firefighters who received minor sprains, cuts and strains.
| Summit Fire | |
|---|---|
 NASA satellite photo from May 22, 2008 showing the smoke plumes. | |
| Date(s) |
|
| Location | Santa Cruz Mountains |
| Coordinates | 37°04′N 121°49′W / 37.07°N 121.82°W |
| Statistics[1] | |
| Burned area | 4,270 acres (17 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Structures destroyed |
|
| Map | |
  Location of fire in California | |
The fire prompted mandatory evacuations of homes in the area. Several elementary, middle, and high schools were closed following the fire. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Santa Cruz County.[3] The cause of the fire was an unattended burn pile .[3]
The fire has approached the area 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east which was consumed in October 2002 - the Croy Fire.[4]
Evacuations
editThe fire affected Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties.[1] Approximately 1,400 homes were evacuated. Of them 336 were mandatory. More than 2900 firefighters fought the fire.[4] Residents were ordered to evacuate the area shortly before 3 PM. The fire also affected Maymens Flat, a tiny community of fewer than ten homes.[3]
Response
editA state of emergency was declared by Arnold Schwarzenegger.[3] He excused himself during a meeting with presidential candidate John McCain to comment on the fire.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Summit Fire". CALFIRE. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ Joe Rodriguez (2008-05-22). "Summit Fire victim: 'We're getting out of here'". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ a b c d "Gov. Declared State Of Emergency For Santa Cruz County". KSBW. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ a b Leslie Griffy (2008-05-26). "Cooler weather helps firefighting effort". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
- ^ "Summit Fire has burned between 2,500 to 3,000 acres (12 km2) in Santa Cruz Mountains". KCBA. Archived from the original on 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-05-22.