Crime & Safety
Illegal Trash Burning Caused Deer Fire Near Boulder Creek
One firefighter was injured, an outbuilding was destroyed and several more buildings were threatened by the blaze.
BOULDER CREEK, CA — Cal Fire said Thursday that hot embers from burning garbage started the Deer Fire in unincorporated Santa Cruz County Tuesday.
Firefighters responded at 1:50 p.m. to the Deer Fire off Deer Creek Road near the community of Boulder Creek. The blaze burned more than 10 acres of state property.
Cal Fire officials said the garbage was burning illegally in a burn barrel on private land and embers escaped the barrel and landed in vegetation that caught fire.
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More than 100 firefighters were deployed to bring the fire under control. Multiple aircraft were also deployed.
One firefighter was injured, an outbuilding was destroyed and several more buildings were threatened by the blaze.
Find out what's happening in Scotts Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A law enforcement investigation is being completed. Cal Fire officials want to remind people that burning garbage, burn barrels and backyard burning is against the law.
Anyone found to have caused a fire may face civil or criminal penalties and may have to pay for the costs of extinguishing the fire, according to Cal Fire.
—Bay City News