Brush Fire Burns 125 Acres in San Jose Foothills

A brush fire that burned in California's South San Jose foothills near Highway 85 at Cottle Road threatened homes as it swept across about 125 acres of vegetation Monday afternoon, according to the San Jose Fire Department.

By about 8 p.m., fire crews had the blaze about 75 percent contained, with no homes reported damaged, fire officials said. They said the fire was no longer posing a threat to any structures.

Earlier, rangers were blocking people from entering nearby Santa Teresa County Park and from going onto Scenic Vista Drive near the site of the four-alarm fire, which was reported at about 1:40 p.m. on the hillside over Curie Drive, San Jose Fire Captain Cleo Doss said.

Fire officials also evacuated residents of homes on Scenic Vista Drive and Scenic Vista Court, Doss said. Portions of the park were also being evacuated north of Bernal Road, Doss said.

The residents were sent to Leland High School and the sheriff's office is working with them, Doss said.

During the blaze, Laura Delizonna rushed from San Francisco to the area because her mom refused to follow evacuation orders. Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies stepped in and also evacuated about a dozen residents near Monte Sunset and View Oaks Way.

Many were unable to grab much of their belongings during evacuations. Dan Bozzuto called the experience "harrowing."

The Pulling family was also forced to evacuate as the blaze crept within 50 yards from their property line.

Megan Pulling said her husband was watering down their fence line when authorities ordered the family to leave because "you are seconds away."

Residents were allowed to return to their homes by 6 p.m.

The blaze prompted Cal Fire to send a water tanker, a helicopter and other fire crews to assist the San Jose Fire Department, Cal Fire spokesman Brandon Leitzke said. Santa Clara and Morgan Hill fire departments also sent crews.

About 125 firefighters from San Jose and Cal Fire responded  to the fire. They had to cope with 100-degree temperatures while they battled the blaze.

Two San Jose firefighters suffered "mild," heat-related injuries.

Doss said firefighting crews were struggling to stay hydrated. " Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} It’s really taken a toll," he said of the heat.

The two firefighters were the only people hurt in the fire, Doss said.

Some residents who live in the area were seen hosing down dry brush outside their homes to prevent the fire's spread. "We are desperate to help," one woman told NBC Bay Area.

As crews battled the blaze in the hills, a second brush fire broke out about six miles away near Los Lagos Golf Course in the 2900 block of Tuers Road in San Jose. A spokesperson said the course's Back 9 remained open for business despite a fire burning in the vicinity of the 5th hole tee box.

NBC Bay Area's Nannette Miranda, Ian Cull and Bay City News contributed to this report.

Contact Us