Stanislaus County wildfire spreads into Santa Clara
Patterson – A wind-whipped wildfire that started in western Stanislaus County thrust across rugged canyons Thursday toward Henry W. Coe Park west of Morgan Hill in neighboring Santa Clara County.
The fire in the Del Puerto Canyon had burned more than 24,000 acres and was headed toward the park, said Pam Rhoten, spokeswoman for the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Twelve rustic homes were threatened, and eight hunting cabins were destroyed in the blaze that started Sunday about 85 miles southeast of San Francisco. The remote ranching area has steep terrain and little access to water.
The fire had been about 45 percent contained early Wednesday at 11,000 acres, but firefighters lost ground as it more than doubled; containment shrank to about 30 percent.
“It really took off,” Rhoten said. “It’s got heat, low humidity and winds, and it’s difficult terrain.”
With more erratic wind expected and higher temperatures forecast for the weekend, more than 1,800 firefighters worked to keep the fire from spreading farther. Three firefighters were treated for heat exposure and some residents voluntarily evacuated.
The cause of the blaze has not determined.
SJ Fire Chief resigns from post
San Jose – Current San Jose Fire Chief, and former Gilroy Fire Chief Jeff Clet is stepping down to allow his son Steven to accept a job with the department.
Due to a nepotism policy that forbids department members from hiring persons in their family, Jeff Clet’s demotion to battalion chief will allow his son from Morgan Hill to join the department. Clet was hired by the department in 1981 by his own father Vince, before nepotism policies were set in place.
Clet worked as chief of the Gilroy Fire Department from 2002 until March of 2004 when he accepted the title of San Jose Fire Chief. Clet had worked with the San Jose Fire Department for 21 years before he headed Gilroy’s fire department.
Steven Clet will begin training at the San Jose’s fire academy this year. Jeff Clet’s last day as chief is Saturday.
Two arrested, 5,624 pot plants seized
San Jose – Police arrested two men and confiscated more than 5,600 plants in two separate raids this week. On July 8, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Eradication Team found a 4,141-plant marijuana garden on private property just off of Mt. Hamilton Road near the Lick Observatory.
Two men, 20-year-old Saul Toledo and 23 year old Luis Herrera of San Jose, were arrested after they were seen tending the plants, police said. Toledo was armed with a handgun. The two men were living in a tent within the garden. They were charged with cultivation, possession for sales, and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
Two days later, he M.E.T. found 1,483 marijuana plants in Sanborn County Park. No suspects were caught at this grow site. The suspects cleared and cut an area of the park, put up a fence to keep animals out, and removed erosion preventing leaf litter from the area.
The suspects were living near the garden in a tent and makeshift living area. This detail was coordinated with Santa Clara County Parks. County Park Rangers are planning to restore the area, which will include clean up of hazardous chemicals, plastic pipe, camping gear, and other cultivation supplies.
According to Special Operations Division of the Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Joe Waldherr, the two gardens yielded a total of 5,624 plants. Once matured, these plants would have had a street value of more than $22 million.
Anyone with information related to illegal indoor and/or outdoor marijuana gardens may call the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Eradication Team Tip line at (408) 808-4420.
Vintage cars at Garlic City Fun Run
Gilroy – Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 6th annual Garlic City Fun Run Saturday, along tree-lined Eigleberry Street between 4th and 5th streets.
Registration begins at 1pm, and the event is open to the public for the “Show & Shine” from 2 to 10pm.
Come see the cars and hear a great lineup of music including The Broke Farmers, Music Jones, Elvis, and closing out the night with The Hot Rods from 7:15 to 10pm.
The entertainment stage and refreshments will be available along 5th Street.
Details: www.DowntownGilroy.com or 842-6501.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@****ic.com
