Fires burn in Pogonip

Several wildland fires broke out in the Pogonip area Friday and Saturday according to several Santa Cruz County authorities.

While Cal Fire crews battled the Estrada blaze in south county, the Santa Cruz Fire Department responded to a wildfire in the area of the Spring trail, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

Friday’s fire broke out in the Pogonip Open Area at around 11 p.m..

The fire covered two acres. Fire engines were stationed in surrounding neighborhoods in the event the fires spread so crews could protect residents and their homes.

Crews had the fire 90% contained by 4:45 a.m. Saturday, according to the post. Surrounding spot fires were contained by 7:30 a.m. First responders had the fire fully contained by 1:30 p.m. later that day.

It took nine crews to contain the outbreak, and firefighters stayed on scene throughout the day to monitor conditions. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the post.

Santa Cruz Police confirmed that two more fires sparked in the Pogonip area shortly after 10 p.m. and another 10:32 p.m. on Saturday.

Additional details were not available before the Sentinel’s print deadline on Sunday.

Earlier this year, at the end of July, authorities were investigating a series of small suspicious fires in the same area.

At the time, Battalion Chief Daniel Kline said, “The Santa Cruz Fire Department urges everyone to exercise caution when enjoying our rural areas and parks. With dry fuels and warm temperatures, a high risk of fire exists.”