Update: Arsonist Ignites Brush Fire in Los Gatos

Updated: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7: An arsonist is believed to have caused a small brush fire that ignited this afternoon above Lexington Reservoir on Black Road, according to Santa Clara County fire investigators.

The fire erupted after 1 p.m. and Highway 17 drivers contacted county fire officials to report a high plume of smoke about half a mile up Black Road.

The blaze's exact location was about 70 feet down the side of Black Road, where the creek comes onto Lexington Reservoir on the west side of Highway 17, said Santa Clara County chief arson investigator Dennis Johnsen.

"Someone had decided to light things on fire down there," Johnsen said. "It was a vegetation fire and it was pretty thick down there."

Johnsen said the fire was in an area that was really overgrown with dead trees, with thick dead-leaves ground cover. "It was growing, but not fast," Johnsen said about the inferno.

Nearly 30 firefighters responded from the Santa Clara County Fire Department and Cal Fire, Johnsen added.

The blaze was quickly controlled and contained, he said, adding that dry weather conditions are presenting a challenging scenario for firefighters.

The ground's humidity in the shade was only 36 percent, Johnsen said. "This is what we would normally see in the summertime," he said. "I would tell people that if they're out for whatever reason and are lighting a camp fire, it's still a very dangerous time ... to do anything with fire out in the wildland."

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Updated: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7: A small grass fire above Lexington Reservoir on Black Road in Los Gatos is out, according to authorities.

The fire was about 50 by 50 feet, a Santa Clara County fire spokeswoman said.

Units are still on scene doing mop up. No injuries or compromised structures are being reported.

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Firefighters are battling a brush fire above Lexington Reservoir on Black Road in Los Gatos that broke out at about 1 p.m.

No injuries or compromised structures are being reported.

Three units from the Santa Clara County Fire Department and three units from Cal Fire have responded to the blaze, dangerously exacerbated by dry weather conditions.

—This is a developing breaking news story. Please check back for updates.