Santa Clara County air quality poor due to Loma Fire

Santa Clara County issued a public health advisory Tuesday for poor air quality related to the Loma Fire. Health officials say smoke from the fire can be seen in the Santa Cruz Mountains, affecting air quality in both the south county and mountain areas.

The situation is being monitored by the Public Health Department, but smoke may increase throughout the county over the next few days and week, according to the department.

"Please Pay attention to air quality and take precautions this week and weekend," especially when it comes to doing any physical activity," said Dr. Sara Cody, health officer and director of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

Meanwhile, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District had issued a Spare the air alert for Tuesday although one is not in effect on Wednesday as temperatures continue to cool down.

New evacuations were ordered early Tuesday morning for the Loma Fire.

As of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the fire has spread to 2,250 acres and is only 10-percent contained according to Cal-Fire officials. One structure has been destroyed and one is damaged.

Cal-Fire told KTVU, that the community of Sveadal, at the end of Croy Road, is under mandatory evacuations.

Residents on Little Uvas road are also being ordered to evacuate their homes.

The raging blaze led to evacuations in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties Monday afternoon, authorities said.

The blaze was reported around 2:50 p.m. Monday in the area of Loma Prieta and Loma Chiquita roads off of Summit Road, Cal Fire Assistant Chief Michael Borelli said.

The area is north of the border between Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, where a large plume of smoke could be seen for miles.


No injuries have been reported.

Evacuation orders have been issued for people in about 300 structures near the fire on Casa Loma Road, Loma Chiquita Road and Loma Prieta Road, Borelli said.

Roughly 200 firefighters have responded to the scene to battle the blaze with assistance from helicopter and air tanker crews, according to Borelli.

San Jose firefighters have also been sent to the scene, city fire official said.

The fire appears to be within the vicinity of buildings for radio stations KBAY-FM and KKUP-FM and San Jose firefighters reported that the flames were threatening critical emergency radio towers for the San Jose Fire Department and the San Jose Police Department.

As of 4:30am Tuesday, San Jose fire officials say all their radio systems are still functioning normally.


In Santa Clara County, deputies also helped evacuate people on Loma Prieta Road, Casa Loma Road, Summit Road, Uvas Road and Loma Chiquita Road, sheriff's officials said.

In Santa Cruz County, people have also been instructed to leave the area of Mount Bache Road, Loma Prieta Road and Highland Way, sheriff's officials said.

Evacuation centers have been set up at Soquel High School, The Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley and the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.


Closures are also in effect at Mount Bache and Loma Prieta roads; Mount Bache and Highland Way and Mount Madonna and Pole Line roads, sheriff's officials said.