Santa Cruz Brush Fires Deemed Suspicious

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The Santa Cruz Fire Department is deeming two small grass fires that burned about an acre at Natural Bridges State Beach on Wednesday as suspicious. Fire officials said the first blaze was reported at 12:56 p.m.

Crews arrived to find a blaze that was scorching a 50--by-50-foot area, but quickly grew to three-quarters of an acre due to dry fuels and strong west winds. The second blaze started 20 minutes after the first, according to fire officials, and was sparked around 400 feet away from the first.

The two blazes were extinguished quickly, with help in the second fire from Cal Fire crews. One firefighter received a minor injury but kept fighting the blazes, fire officials said.Both blazes were contained within three hours.

By Bay City News

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