Watch CBS News

Firefighters Quickly Contain Heavy Timber Fire In Santa Cruz Mountains

ZAYANTE, Santa Cruz County (CBS SF) -- A wildfire that broke out in heavy timber Wednesday afternoon near the unincorporated community of Zayante in Santa Cruz County was contained after burning a quarter of an acre, Cal Fire CZU said.

The blaze, dubbed the Ellen Fire, started at 2 p.m. in the area of Upper Ellen Road and Weston Ridge Road, "burning in heavy timber with heavy 'litter' (forest understory)," according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire and the Scotts Valley Fire District responded and air units were called to reach the area.

Ellen Fire
A plane drops fire retardant on the Ellen Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains on September 23, 2020. (Cal Fire CZU / Twitter)

Units will remain until hot spots are extinguished and mop-up is complete, the fire district said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.