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NewsvineFirefighters brought a 177-acre brushfire near the Stanford Dish under control on Monday afternoon, but flames still threatened other Stanford affiliates: the raging Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe forced guests and staff at Stanford Sierra Camp to evacuate the same day.
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A brushfire in the Dish swept through 177 acres.
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#gallery http://daily.stanford.org/image/full/7715
Emergency crews were able to contain the blaze by dusk.
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#gallery http://daily.stanford.org/image/full/7716
Emergency teams rushed to contain the blaze.
The Palo Alto blaze, which broke out about a half-mile north of Frenchman’s Gate on Junipero Serra Boulevard, was reported on Monday at 4:13 p.m. and spread quickly toward Page Mill Road.
According to Palo Alto Fire Department Chief Nick Marinaro ‘72, the brushfire scorched 177 acres in the foothills before it was contained on Monday evening. Firefighters and aircraft from several agencies, including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, assisted in bringing the blaze under control.
Certain sections of Page Mill Road and Stanford Avenue were temporarily closed on Monday as a result.
Firefighters are currently conducting what Marinaro called a “mop-up” by containing hot spots. Although wisps of smoke are still visible, he said that there are currently no active fires. The uncharacteristically early-season blaze spread quickly over the light grass in the Dish area, where a much smaller six-acre fire burned in 2004.
Though the fire department initially believed that the source of the blaze was a malfunctioning generator at a water pumping station, Marinaro said that investigators have found no indication that the fire was caused by a mechanical malfunction; rather, the department is now looking into the possibility that Monday’s blaze was human-related.
“Our initial estimate was based on witness accounts, but our investigators are now looking at a human cause,” he said. “We’re continuing to investigate.”
According to The San Jose Mercury News, firefighters have found matches near the spot where the fire broke out.
No injuries or structural damage were reported, though the fire came within 500 yards of six houses on Page Mill Road. The Stanford Department of Public Safety issued a voluntary evacuation, but Marinaro said that most residents chose to stay inside.
“None of the houses were imminently threatened,” he said. “We also sent units to protect the Stanford observatory, but it was never imminently threatened either. The fire blew right past it.”
While Palo Alto residents chose to remain home, those at Stanford Sierra Camp were not so lucky.
The Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe has burned 2,730 acres just east of Fallen Leaf Lake and Stanford Sierra Camp. The blaze has destroyed more than 200 buildings and threatens hundreds more. The fire prompted Lt. Gov. John Garamendi - acting in place of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is traveling, - to declare a state of emergency in California on Monday.
Camp guests and staff members, including all student staff, were evacuated Monday on sheriff’s instructions when the fire began moving into the Fallen Leaf basin. Sierra Camp COO Dave Bunnet ’83 and seven other staff members remained at the camp in case of potential fire damage.
According to the Stanford Alumni Association Web site, Week Three of Sierra Camp has been canceled entirely. Families will receive refunds for any lodging expenses incurred before the evacuation. Staff members are currently staying at Northstar Resort in Tahoe until they can return to camp.
Sierra Camp will determine whether or not to open for Week Four today and will notify registered participants. In order for camp to open on time, according to the Web site, “smoke needs to lift from Fallen Leaf Lake - which is projected to occur on Wednesday - and Fallen Leaf Road needs to reopen by Friday.”
Yesterday, the fire was reported to be 40 percent contained and is expected to be under control by next Sunday. Yesterday afternoon, however, a firebreak on the north side of the blaze’s perimeter hampered containment efforts.