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Santa Cruz Indymedia Environment & Forest Defense Health, Housing & Public Services

Major Fires Off of Highway 1 In Aptos-Watsonville Consume Homes

by Sol. Sister

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 6:34PM

At approximately 2:00 p.m. fires started off of Highway 1 between Mar Monte Road and Airport Road. By 6:00 p.m., 1000 acres had already burned and several homes destroyed. It is currently burning out of control and continues to threaten the health and safety of people and animals in the area.

The fires ignited and took hold rather rapidly, with many people nearby the fires unaware of the danger or what procedures to follow. As an observer of the fire from Freedom Boulevard around 3:00 p.m., I was overwhelmed by the giant flume of smoke that encroached over the city of Freedom and headed towards Watsonville.

Currently, over 2000 people are being forced to evacuate their homes and others are being asked to evacuate, including all areas within the Airport Road, Freedom Blvd and Larkin Valley Road area. Highway 1 is currently closed for a six mile stretch, between Larkin Valley Road and down to Riverside Drive, according to other news reports.

§From Watsonville Rd. and Uvas Rd.

by SBR

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 9:54PM

original image (864x527)

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showt...

§Day Rd.

by SBR

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 9:56PM

original image (864x452)

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showt...

§Watsonville Rd and Burchell Rd.

by SBR

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 9:57PM

original image (864x648)

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showt...

§Watsonville Rd, near Hwy. 152.

by SBR

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 9:59PM

original image (864x648)

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showt...

§Watsonville Fire / Larkin Valley Fire - Videos

by iseyz

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 10:03PM

Another fire broke out in the Santa Cruz area. This fire is near Watsonville and Larkin Valley. I was also in close vacinity to the Bonny Doon wildfire when it started. My friend and I had to evacuate and he was not able to return to his house for several days. Yet another wildfire and another mandatory evacuation. Apparently somebody was seen starting spot fires in the afternoon. Hopefully, the firefighters were notified early enough to contain this blaze. Freedom Blvd is jammed with bumper to bumper traffic as people have been forced to leave their homes.

I walked outside around 4:00 PM and could see the smoke rising over the ridge. Ominous black smoke. I rode my bike down a back road with a friend of mine to get a closer view. We were able to see the smoke rising up from behind several houses and there was a helicopter dipping into a pond nearby to douse the flames. I took some video footage of the fire and will be posting that soon. They have cut the power at my house and the cops just stopped by to let us know that there is a mandatory evacuation. I’m currently on my laptop with my cell phone tethered for internet. As I look over the ridge near my house the smoke seems to be clearing. The fire is probably heading in the Watsonville direction at this point. I’ll be posting the videos of the fire as soon as possible.

http://iseyz.com/watsonville-fire-larkin-valley-fire-videos/

§View from Boardwalk in Santa Cruz

by ~Bradley (bradley [at] riseup.net)

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 10:47PM

§Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz

by ~Bradley

Fri, Jun 20, 2008 10:48PM

§Lightning strike re-starts fire in same area - 1:30pm

by Tim Rumford

Sat, Jun 21, 2008 1:54PM

Lightning strike re-starts fire in same area - 1:30pm. This strange un-foretasted thunder storm I thought would be a blessing to the fire is near taking another house.

My sister lives in th 700 area of Larkin Valley Rd. Her friend who lives... Close. Just had a fire started behind his house from lightning. He had potentially saved my sisters animals, valuables etc. as well as many other friends. I hope it is contained soon. i heard they may re-close some roads due to this new lightning fire. If anyone heres more please let me know. I have several friends nearby just let back in their homes.
Thanks
Tim Rumford

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