A 550-acre wildfire ignited in the Santa Cruz mountains on Loma Prieta peak just before 3 p.m. Monday, and residents self-evacuated as flames rush toward their doorsteps. The rapidly-spreading blaze broke out in the area of Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road while temperatures soared to over 90 degrees. PHOTOS: Loma Fire in Santa Cruz mountains The Loma Fire was five percent contained as of 9:30 p.m., and according to Cal Fire, the wildfire has the potential to spread as much as 5,000 acres overnight. A column of billowing black smoke can be seen from as far away as Pacific Grove, downtown San Jose, and Morgan Hill. Observers commented on Twitter that it looked like a volcano had erupted. Cal Fire is making dozens of air drops with red retardant on the Loma Fire. KSBW meteorologist Lee Solomon said firefighters are facing very hot weather conditions with extremely low humidity A heat advisory will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Monday. More than 300 structures are threatened and at least one house has burned. Flames moved south and west because of the wind direction. Residents were ordered to evacuate along the Loma Prieta ridge line, Mount Bacci Road, Highland Way, Loma Prieta Way, parts of Summit Road, Croy Ridge Road, Madonna Road, Casa Loma Road, and Uvas Canyon Peak. An evacuation center was established at Soquel High School. Loma Prieta Elementary School is being used as a Cal Fire command post. There are several transmitters and relay towers being threatened that are used by television stations and emergency centers.

A 550-acre wildfire ignited in the Santa Cruz mountains on Loma Prieta peak just before 3 p.m. Monday, and residents self-evacuated as flames rush toward their doorsteps.

The rapidly-spreading blaze broke out in the area of Loma Prieta Road and Loma Chiquita Road while temperatures soared to over 90 degrees.

PHOTOS: Loma Fire in Santa Cruz mountains



The Loma Fire was five percent contained as of 9:30 p.m., and according to Cal Fire, the wildfire has the potential to spread as much as 5,000 acres overnight.

A column of billowing black smoke can be seen from as far away as Pacific Grove, downtown San Jose, and Morgan Hill. Observers commented on Twitter that it looked like a volcano had erupted.

Krista Haux

Cal Fire is making dozens of air drops with red retardant on the Loma Fire.

KSBW meteorologist Lee Solomon said firefighters are facing very hot weather conditions with extremely low humidity A heat advisory will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.

More than 300 structures are threatened and at least one house has burned. Flames moved south and west because of the wind direction.



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Residents were ordered to evacuate along the Loma Prieta ridge line, Mount Bacci Road, Highland Way, Loma Prieta Way, parts of Summit Road, Croy Ridge Road, Madonna Road, Casa Loma Road, and Uvas Canyon Peak.



An evacuation center was established at Soquel High School. Loma Prieta Elementary School is being used as a Cal Fire command post.

There are several transmitters and relay towers being threatened that are used by television stations and emergency centers.

Shayne Gallegos Fire seen from Scotts Valley

NBC Bay Area

NBC Bay Area

​Michael Crawley

Stan Russell