Couple who lost home in Bear Fire thought they were going to die

Tuesday, October 17, 2017
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, Calif. (KGO) -- The Bear Fire burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains has destroyed four structures -- one of them was Sandra Wood's yurt on Ron's Road.

She lived there with her husband and their dog.
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When the flames erupted Monday nigtht, Wood was picking up groceries at the Safeway in Felton.

PHOTOS: Crews battle wildfire in Santa Cruz Mountains


As she arrived back in her neighborhood, she saw the hillside on fire.

She said she thought she was going to die and that her husband would be trapped and die at the house.



But, she was able to get him and their dog out -- and wake up and evacuate neighbors at the same time.
One man stayed behind and he's the one who told her all the homes on the ridge were gone.
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Wildfire evacuation preparation list


Sandra and her husband spent most of Tuesday at a Red Cross shelter.

The Bear Fire has burned 271 acres and has reached five percent containment as of Tuesday night.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies went door to door Monday night, notifying 150-200 residents about the mandatory evacuation order.

Evacuation info for residents and animals:
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Residents:
Lakeside Elementary: 19621 Black Rd, Los Gatos
Zayante Fire Protection District Station: 7700 E Zayante Rd, Felton
Animals:
Horses and Goats: Graham Hill Showgrounds: 1145 Graham Hill Rd, Santa Cruz
Small Animals: Santa Cruz County Animal Services: 2200 7th Ave, Santa Cruz
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