Saratoga Fire Containment Reaches 50 Percent, Utilities Restored
SARATOGA (CBS SF) -- A challenging vegetation fire in Saratoga knocked out power and water to six families but is 50 percent contained Tuesday afternoon and the families have power again, Santa Clara County fire officials said.
The fire was first reported at 3:19 p.m. Monday on Mt. Eden Road west of Pierce Road along the hills in western Saratoga.
When the power went out the families they lost water service because pumps for the water would no longer work.
Fire officials said no one has been injured and no structures are threatened, but there's a lot for the fire to burn, such as heavy brush.
Also, the terrain is steep and hard to access, Santa Clara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Falarski said.
Chief Fire Investigator Ryan Cronin said power lines have hampered some air operations and the availability of water has also been a challenge.
But there was no wind overnight and the air was moist, which helped firefighters.
They stopped the forward progress of the fire this morning and by 8 a.m. the fire was 40 percent contained.
Firefighters hope that by this evening they'll have the 10-acre fire 75 percent contained, Falarski said.
About 70 firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze.
A fire helicopter missed three drops and was grounded as a precaution after a recreational drone was seen flying in the area.
"That impeded operations and put firefighters at risk, Cronin said. "Their operations really hamper our activities."
Falarski said the helicopter did not make contact with the drone, but it landed to ensure the safety of crews in the air and on the ground.
Fire officials found the drone and the situation is under investigation.
Cronin said Cal Fire is in the midst of a campaign to make people aware of the danger drones pose to firefighters during a firefighting operation.
Evacuations have not been ordered for residents in the area. A shelter-in-place advisory issued Monday evening has since been lifted, Falarski said.
No roads are closed, but fire officials are asking people to avoid Mt. Eden Road if possible.
Cronin encourages people to keep up the defensible space around their homes to reduce the chance a fire will damage their home.
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