Summit Fire (2008)
2008 wildfire in California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Summit Fire was a wildfire that started on May 22, 2008, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, near Corralitos, California, United States. The fire was fully contained on May 27, 2008.[2] No injuries or fatalities occurred, with the exception of twelve firefighters who received minor sprains, cuts and strains.
| Summit Fire | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2008 California wildfires | |
NASA satellite photo from May 22, 2008 showing the smoke plumes. | |
| Date(s) |
|
| Location | Santa Cruz Mountains |
| Coordinates | 37.07°N 121.82°W |
| Statistics[1] | |
| Burned area | 4,270 acres (17 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Structures destroyed |
|
| Map | |
  Location of fire in California | |
The fire prompted mandatory evacuations of homes in the area. Several elementary, middle, and high schools were closed following the fire. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Santa Cruz County.[3] The cause of the fire was an unattended burn pile .[3]
The fire has approached the area 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east which was consumed in October 2002 – the Croy Fire.[4]
Evacuations
The fire affected Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties.[1] Approximately 1,400 homes were evacuated. Of them 336 were mandatory. More than 2900 firefighters fought the fire.[4] Residents were ordered to evacuate the area shortly before 3 PM. The fire also affected Maymens Flat, a tiny community of fewer than ten homes.[3]
Response
A state of emergency was declared by Arnold Schwarzenegger.[3] He excused himself during a meeting with presidential candidate John McCain to comment on the fire.[5]