Nearly 4,000 acres have been consumed as the Summit Fire continued to burn Monday morning, according to CalFire officials. It is 70 percent contained and should be completely contained by tonight.
The tent city set up in Christmas Hill Park is likely to remain in place for several more days, CalFire Capt. Matt Streck said Monday morning.
"With a fire in an area like this, you have a lot more mop up to do," he said. "Compared to the Lick Fire, this area has much heavier vegetation, pine trees, some redwoods. The fire burns across the base of the trees, we're going through and cutting them down, but there will be trees smoldering for days, probably thousands of them."
Streck said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Streck said there is a team of investigators looking into the cause and origin of the fire, but nothing is ready for release to the public yet.
"We don't even speculate or guess, we don't want to do anything that might interfere with what could be a criminal or civil case," he said.
When the investigators reach a conclusion, the information will be released to the public, he added.
The blaze has destroyed 36 homes and 18 other buildings. Fire officials say 100 homes are still threatened. The estimated cost of fighting the fire is $9.3 million. Six firefighters have suffered minor injuries.
The cost is expected to jump dramatically, according to CalFire, because 13 extra helicopters were brought in Monday to help get a handle on the blaze. Diesel fuel for the fire engines, a large factor in the cost calculation, is available at the base camp and is brought to the trucks by tankers in the mechanical pool.
Santa Clara County Executive Pete Kutras declared a state of emergency Saturday morning.
Five county roads - Hazel Dell Road, Croy Road, Eureka Canyon, Loma Prieta Road and Buzzard Lagoon Road - were closed to residents and the public Saturday, but all except Loma Prieta Road were reopened to residents at 3 p.m. Monday. Mt. Madonna Park remains closed. Fire inspectors were in the area Monday morning looking for hot spots and determining which areas are safe for residents to reenter.
More than 300 people were evacuated from areas including Sveadal, McPhee Road, portions of Eureka Canyon Road, Ormsby Cutoff Road and the Lower Highland area, which includes Buzzard Lagoon and Vaca de Sol. A shelter than opened at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill Saturday, closed Sunday because no one showed up, according to a CalFire spokesman.
Gilroy resident Connie Martin told the Dispatch that the more than 50 dogs in the Sky Dancers Kennels had to be evacuated Thursday, and 40 of them, mostly Saint Bernards, went to her home. The rest of the dogs went to other homes in Gilroy.
County officials issued a public health advisory about air quality Friday as a blanket of smoke covered parts of Morgan Hill and South County.
"When heavy smoke is visible outside, it's important to take steps to reduce the chance of having breathing problems," said Marty Fenstersheib, M.D., health officer of Santa Clara County. "People should stay indoors, keep windows, doors and vents closed. If you have one, it is a good idea to run your air-conditioner."
Air conditions had improved Monday, but officials recommended caution.
Even as firefighters gain control of the fire, there is work to be done in the scorched hills.
Streck said the Gilroy base camp will remain active for at least another few days, with crews returning home as the mopping up is completed. The blaze erupted following the state's driest two-month period on record.
"But we will be a presence in the fire area for weeks, possibly months to come," he said, because crews will continue to check for hot spots and trees damaged by the fire that need to come down.
Monday's weather conditions were not expected to help efforts much, but, according to Streck, a change in wind direction was not expected to exacerbate the situation.
"The wind is moving into a more north-northwesterly direction, which is not going to help, but it is not expected to be as strong as Thursday, and that's good," he said.
Marilyn Dubil Marilyn Dubil covered education and law enforcement for The Times.
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Blaze nearly under control
