Multiple agencies halt progress of Buena Fire near Watsonville – KION546

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office says progress has stopped on the Buena Fire burning near Watsonville, along Highway 1.

A spokesman for the sheriff’s office says 20 homes had to be evacuated and the fire grew to five acres before firefighters could bring it under control.

Some evacuation orders are now limited to evacuation warnings according to the county’s evacuation map.

Multiple agencies responded, including Central Fire, with Cal Fire CZU taking the lead in fire suppression.

Cal Fire CZU confirms they responded to reports of multiple fires in the area between Buena Vista and Airport Boulevard.

Just after 1 p.m., a large plume of smoke could be seen billowing from the area via AlertCalifornia’s wildfire cameras.

Aerial video from KTVU shows the fire in its later stages burning down the highway

CHP Santa Cruz says the two leftmost lanes are now open on Northbound Highway 1 after being closed for nearly two hours due to the fire.

Drivers should expect delays in the region.

The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds is currently being used as an evacuation point.

This is a development story