Press Release
Summit Fire: 3

Date: May 22, 2008
Time: 1:45 PM
Release: Immediately
Contact: Dinah Phillips
Public Information Officer

Santa Cruz County has issued a Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency. The Proclamation was sent to the Governor and to the State Office of Emergency Services this morning.

The fire is moving toward the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.

Voluntary Evacuation: 1,400 residences at 12:50 in the area around Eureka Canyon Road, the Summit, Hazel Dell Road, Corralitos Road north of Browns Valley, Rider Ridge, and Buzzard Lagoon were called and instructed to voluntarily evacuate.

Mandatory Evacuation: Of those, 336 were called at 1:15 pm and informed that a Mandatory Evacuation order has been issued for Vaca del Sol, Lower Highland, and Buzzard Lagoon.

Power is out in much of the area due to falling trees.

Resources ordered and either on scene or enroute include 40 hand crews, over twenty engine strike teams, 16 kinds of aircraft, 6 water tenders, and 6 dozers. A Command Post has been established at Corallitos Fire Station.

At this time, 140 horses have been evacuated to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Due to air quality, Pajaro Valley Unified School District has evacuated Alianza Charter School and Watsonville Charter School for the Arts to Watsonville High School for the rest of the school day. Parents of students at those schools are encouraged to pick their children up at Watsonville High School. Students who are not picked up will be bussed home at the normal time. Bradley Elementary School will be closed tomorrow due to air quality concerns.