A small wildland fire along Highway 17 snarled northbound traffic on the busy highway through Scotts Valley this morning.
The fire was reported at 10:31 a.m. on Crescent Drive, which runs perpendicular to Highway 17 about ¼ mile north of Santa’s Village Road.
Firefighters from Scotts Valley Fire District and Cal Fire were quickly on the scene to locate and contain the blaze which was threatening a large teepee that was being lived in by a local resident.
California Highway Patrol officers closed the No. 2 lane on Highway 17 to allow fire personnel to battle the blaze from the highway. The lane was reopened at about 11:20 a.m.
Firefighters climbed the steep hillside using ladders to make sure the fire did not spread in the dry conditions. The area has received less than ½ and inch of rain since July 1.
One onlooker said he thought the fire may have started on the side of the highway and burned up the hill. However, no fire officials were available to comment while battling the blaze.
Separately, a residential structure fire was reported at 11:02 a.m. at 29 Kendall Lane in Scotts Valley, making for a busy morning for Scotts Valley firefighters.
