Residents of Holiday Lake Estates, the closest housing
development to the fire that has already burned thousands of acres,
have not been advised to leave the area, and several of them said
they had no plans to voluntarily evacuate.
Morgan Hill – Residents of Holiday Lake Estates, the closest housing development to the fire that has already burned thousands of acres, have not been advised to leave the area, and several of them said they had no plans to voluntarily evacuate.
“We’re not running yet,” said Holiday Drive resident Joyce Bedard. “It’s pretty scary, but we’re not packing yet.”
Bedard said she would be concerned if the wind changed directions, but since the wind is blowing the smoke and ash to the east, she said, she doesn’t feel like there is a threat to her home.
Michael Kremer, who lives on Blue Jay Drive in Holiday Lake Estates, said he would like to hear from fire officials whether there is a possibility, if the wind shifts, that Holiday Lake Estates homes could be in danger.
Holiday Lake Estates wrap around the western edge of Anderson Reservoir, placing a large lake between residents and the fire.
Kremer said he had seen fires from time to time across the Anderson Reservoir on the eastern slopes next to the reservoir and when he phoned fire officials to report them, he was told they were control burns, fires that are intentionally set and carefully monitored.
Behind Kremer’s house is a hill, he said, that is difficult to keep free of weeds, so often they grow thick and would provide good fuel for a fire. This year, he said, he and his neighbors have made a particular effort to clear that hill and other areas because they believed the winter was drier than normal.
Fire officials recommend homeowners, particularly those who live in areas vulnerable to fires, create a “defensible space” of 100 feet around their homes, clearing dry brush, thinning and pruning trees and bushes and leaving the area within 15 feet of the house itself.
Kremer said he and his neighbors probably are not as worried about the current fire because they made the effort to create defensible space around their homes.
Bedard expressed about the fact that there is one way in and out of the neighborhood, but said she had faith that the firefighters would be able to contain the blaze.
“I’m sure they’re doing OK,” she said.
