Updated 11:30 a.m.
BOULDER CREEK — More than 300 firefighters are battling a blaze in the Boulder Creek area, which has grown to more than 150 acres, Cal Fire spokeswoman Colleen Baxter said Tuesday.
Four structures have been destroyed, but it was not clear Tuesday morning whether they were homes.
Firefighters on Monday morning were fighting the so-called Bear Fire with aircraft, and at 10 a.m. had it 5 percent contained. They were also facing favorable conditions, with 20 percent humidity and temperatures that were expected to reach no more than 84 degrees, Baxter said.
The blaze started at about 11 p.m. Monday in the area of 820 Bear Creek Canyon Road when a structure burned, but fire officials on Tuesday morning were unsure how that fire was sparked.
The fire is near Las Cumbres Road, otherwise known as Highway 35, which lies west of the Lexington Reservoir, Baxter said.
Fire officials have evacuated residents from about 150 homes, which are uphill from the fire, Baxter said.
The residents have sought shelter in Lakeside Elementary School in Los Gatos, Boulder Creek Elementary School and Zayante Fire Station.
Deer Creek Road, Las Cumbres Road Rons Road, Lost Valley Road, Favre Ridge Road Oak and Ridge Road are closed.
One firefighter has been treated for smoke inhalation, and another broke his wrist and suffered facial trauma when he fell, Baxter said.
No other injuries have been reported.
Firefighters from Santa Cruz County Fire, San Mateo County Fire, Santa Clara County Fire are battling the blaze.
Officers from California Highway Patrol, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office are also assisting.
A giant plume of smoke was visible throughout Santa Cruz County Tuesday morning.
