Brush Fire Causes Coordinated Attack from San Jose, Santa Clara County and Cal Fire

   

Photo By Bruce Dembecki

At around 3:00 P.M. on Monday, July 23, Santa Clara County Fire Department began receiving reports of a brush fire in Belgatos Park at the top of Belgatos Rd. in Los Gatos.

First-due engine to the area is San Jose's Engine 17, who reported a heavy column of smoke from the area, and with the area being in a threat zone additional resources were requested from Cal Fire. On scene units reported 2-3 acres of grass and brush had burned and began work to stop the fire's uphill progress before it could threaten the houses on the hillside above the park.
   
Incident Commander, County Fire Battalion Chief Joe Parker, requested a Level 2 Brush response from County Fire together with the Medium response from Cal Fire. Cal Fire's Air units arrived and with some quick drops from Copter 106 were able to stop the forward spread of the fire. Additional resources included several Cal Fire Type 3 engines and a Cal Fire hand crew from Ben Lomond.
   
Fire Associates members were dispatched to the scene as part of the Level 2 Brush response, and Don Gilbert fetched Fire Support Unit 2. When he afrrived at the scene, he was met by FASCV members Bruce Dembecki and George Hoyt, along with FASCV guest, Walter Huber. Cold drinks and CLIF bars were the order of the day on a hot afternoon in Belgatos Park. Fire Associates took over a picnic area in the park and were able to establish rehab in a very comfortable and cool, shady area.
  
The fire was contained by 4:30 P.M. and mop up was completed shortly before 6:00 P.M., when Fire Support Unit 2 was released from the scene.

• Bruce's photos can be viewed at:  Belgatos Park Fire
    
• A news story from LosGatosPatch.com can be read at:  Belgatos Arson Fire

    
-- Report Submitted by Bruce Dembecki