Crews make ‘significant progress’ on Estrada Fire sparked by prescribed burn

Firefighters made “significant progress” overnight and the Estrada Fire in south Santa Cruz County is now 10 percent contained, with 83 acres burned, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said Saturday morning.

No further evacuations are expected in the Pajaro area of Santa Cruz County where the fire sparked on Hazel Dell Road and Hidden Canyon northwest of Watsonville, according to officials.

Angela Bernheisel, a Cal Fire spokeswoman, said:

“The fire did not grow last night. We expect a lot more containment today and we hope to be able to lift the evacuation orders tonight. Conditions calmed down significantly overnight.”

Officials said Friday night that the fire had burned up to 150 acres, but revised the estimate to 83 acres as of 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

A Cal Fire prescribed burn in the area Friday afternoon jumped its containment lines near Corralitos Friday, Bernheisel confirmed.

In response, firefighting crews from Cal Fire and Santa Cruz County local fire departments attacked the Estrada Fire and surrounded the fire with retardant Friday night, according to Bernheisel.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders and warnings and an evacuation center opened at Corralitos Community Church.

The evacuation center closed at 10 p.m. because of light usage, according to Santa Cruz County officials.

Evacuees needing assistance can call (866) 272-2237 for Red Cross services.

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