Swift Response Contains Hermon Fire in Santa Cruz Mountains
On June 6, 2025, a vegetation fire, dubbed the Hermon Fire, ignited along Mount Hermon Road between Scotts Valley and Felton, scorching approximately 2.3 acres. Thanks to a rapid and coordinated response from multiple agencies, the blaze was fully contained by 1:36 p.m., preventing threats to structures and ensuring no injuries, according to Cal Fire CZU.
The effort involved Cal Fire’s CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit and Santa Clara Unit, including Alma Helitack’s Copter 605, which provided critical aerial support. Ground crews from Zayante Fire Protection District, Scotts Valley Fire District, Felton Fire Protection District, and Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Department worked alongside the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, and PG&E to manage the incident. Crews remained on scene to mop up hot spots, ensuring the fire was fully extinguished.
Zayante Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Maxwell praised the response, noting, “We are so fortunate to have talented, young, skilled units from Cal Fire in the neighborhood! Plus they have the best toys – thank you Copter 605 for the air show, Glenwood Crew 3 for cutting line and the helitak hand crew who was dropped at the head of the fire and cleaned up the mess and stopped forward progress. All in a days work when working for the infamous Battalion 1712 Chief Bonfante.”
Mount Hermon Road was temporarily closed between Conference Drive and Graham Hill Road but reopened by 4:42 p.m., minimizing disruption. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Photos contributed by Zayante Fire Protection District.
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