Firefighters chase down flames on a steep hillside on the 1200 block of Larkin Valley Road Tuesday after a pickup slammed into a utility pole and knocked over power lines. Cal Fire and Aptos/La Selva Fire teamed up in tackling two small fires that opened up in a winding and curving section of Larkin Valley Road surrounded by cow and horse pastures, dry brush, trees and numerous homes. Firefighters managed to put a lid on the 3 p.m. fires within 30 minutes. Meanwhile the California Highway Patrol said they suspected the male driver of the truck was driving under the influence. Larkin Valley Road was closed to traffic in the area for several hours. A crew from Pacific Gas and Electric was called to repair the power lines.
A pickup is shown crushed against a utility pole on southbound Larkin Valley Road with power lines draped across the road. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian
