Crime & Safety

Grass Fire Near Highways 1 and 17 Started in Homeless Encampment

Fire charred grass, brush and pine trees in the area.

Investigators believe a grass fire that burned in Santa Cruz on Wednesday morning started in a homeless campsite, fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to the blaze, which was burning near the fishhook connecting Highway 1 and Highway 17, at 9:47 a.m.

The fire charred grass, brush and pine trees in the area, throwing off embers that threatened to spark other fires nearby, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Firefighters had the blaze controlled in about 30 minutes.

Investigators later concluded that the fire had started in a homeless encampment nearby.

Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

~Bay City News


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Scotts Valley