Schwan Lake Park Wildfire

On Sunday afternoon, SCR911 received multiple calls reporting smoke and flames seen at Schwan Lake Park.  A column of smoke was visible from several blocks away. Central Fire District and Santa Cruz City Fire Department personnel responded to the scene as part of the initial dispatch. Both agencies were participating in a joint training exercise at the time and responded directly from the training site. Upon arrival, firefighters found an area of dry grass, approximately three acres in size, burning at a slow rate of spread. Hose lines were extended to either side of the fire in an effort to contain it. The fire area was surrounded by walking paths which acted as a natural fire break. This helped to prevent the spread of fire into the wildlife sanctuary nearby. Additional resources from CAL FIRE and Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District were requested to extinguish “hot spots” still smoldering or burning following the initial fire attack. A fire investigation has determined where the fire began. Debris found near the area of origin leads investigators to believe that someone was in the area prior to the start of the fire, but no source of ignition was found. The park is open to the public and several people were on the trails during the fire. No injuries were reported during the incident.