Summit Fire (2008)

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.

This article is about the 2008 wildfire. For the underground incident in 1984, see Summit Tunnel fire. For the 2013 wildfire, see Summit Fire (2013).
Summit Fire
NASA satellite photo from May 22, 2008 showing the smoke plumes.
LocationSanta Cruz Mountains
Coordinates37.07°N 121.82°W / 37.07; -121.82
Statistics[1]
Date(s)May 22, 2008 (2008-05-22) – May 27, 2008 (2008-05-27)
Burned area4,270 acres (17 km2)
Buildings destroyed
  • 35 residences
  • 64 outbuildings
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 remains unknown.[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

The 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

A 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
  1. "Summit Fire". CALFIRE. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  2. Joe Rodriguez (2008-05-22). "Summit Fire victim: 'We're getting out of here'". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  3. "Gov. Declared State Of Emergency For Santa Cruz County". KSBW. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  4. Leslie Griffy (2008-05-26). "Cooler weather helps firefighting effort". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
  5. "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.
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