The Loma Fire was a wildfire that broke out on September 26, 2016, in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Santa Clara County, California. By the time the fire was contained on October 12, the fire had burned 4,474 acres (18 km2) of land and had destroyed 12 residences and 16 outbuildings.[1]

Loma Fire
Loma Fire, seen from 9 miles away, 30 minutes after the fire started
Date(s)
  • September 26, 2016 (2016-09-26)
  • October 12, 2016 (2016-10-12)
LocationLoma Prieta, Santa Clara County, California
Coordinates37°06′23″N 121°51′11″W / 37.10632°N 121.85318°W / 37.10632; -121.85318
Statistics[1][2]
Burned area4,474 acres (18 km2)
Impacts
Structures destroyed
  • 12 single residences
  • 16 outbuildings
Ignition
Causesparks from portable generator[3]
Map
Loma Fire is located in Northern California
Loma Fire
Location of fire in Northern California
Loma Fire is located in the United States
Loma Fire
Loma Fire (the United States)

With the containment of the fire, and rainstorms due in the area, concerns turned to the potential for mudslides in the area.[4] With vegetation that previously held together the soil on the mountain having burned in the fire, the erosion effects of the upcoming rains are heightened.[5] Erosion repair efforts are being coordinated by the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services.[5]

According to CalFire officials, the fire was caused by sparks from a portable generator used in marijuana cultivation operations off of Loma Chiquita Road.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Loma Fire". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Loma Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains grows to 2,865 acres, evacuations lifted". www.abc7news.com. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b Salonga, Robert (August 10, 2017). "Marijuana grow blamed for 2016 Loma Fire, officials say". San Jose Mercury News.
  4. ^ Gomez, Phil (October 12, 2016). "Loma Fire reaches 100 percent containment". KSBW News. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Handa, Robert; Ellison, Stephen (October 10, 2016). "New Problem Looms For Residents Near Loma Fire: Mudslides". NBC KRON News. Retrieved October 13, 2016.