PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) — A sixth firefighter has sustained minor injuries battling a blaze in California’s Santa Cruz mountains south of the wildfires that have been burning for more than a week in wine country.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Angela Bernheisel said Wednesday the firefighter is being treated for second-degree burns to his hands.
Crews have been fighting the wildfire, which sparked Monday night, sending smoke into the coastal beach town of Santa Cruz.
The wildfire has grown from 125 to 270 acres and four structures have been destroyed. About 150 homes are threatened and residents have been evacuated.
The rough mountain landscape has proved a challenge and contributed to firefighter injuries.
A firefighter fell down a steep ravine and fractured his wrist while three others slipped but were otherwise unharmed. An inmate firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.