SAN JOSE — At least one suspect has been detained as crews on Friday were close to containing half a dozen fires that were intentionally set in the Santa Teresa Hills Thursday, authorities said.
San Jose Fire Department spokeswoman Erica Ray said the fires had burned close to 90 acres and were 90 percent contained by Friday afternoon.
The blazes originally were reported about 5:50 p.m. Thursday near Colleen Drive and Chesbro Avenue.
San Jose fire Capt. Brian Palodichuk said the fires were set within two to five miles of each other. In a tweet Thursday night, the fire department said crews would be working through the night.
Update: San Jose Fire Crews will be working through the night, with the assistance of Cal Fire and San Jose Police, as well as Mutual Aid Fire Resources in containing the fire. Fire is 20% contained and 80 acres involved. A repopulation plan is being worked on for those evacuated
— San Jose Fire Dept. (@SJFD) June 5, 2020
Early Friday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention said that rising humidity had helped firefighters’ efforts.
#Colleenfire [update]Colleen Dr, San Jose(Santa Clara County) Overnight humidity rose significantly over the fire which aided the firefighting efforts. Fire’s is estimated at 90 acres and 80% contained. CALFIRE will continue to be in Unified Command with San Jose Fire Department pic.twitter.com/vRQqCVnTb4
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) June 5, 2020
Palodichuk said on Thursday that someone had “intentionally” started the fire, while San Jose police Sgt. Enrique Garcia confirmed that at least one suspect was detained.
The blazes threatened homes in the area, and all residents west of Graystone Lane to Pfeiffer Ranch and Deer Hollow drives were ordered to evacuate, Palodichuk said.
An evacuation center was briefly opened at the Almaden Community Center at 6445 Camden Ave. The evacuation order was lifted at 9:15 p.m.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection dispatched two air tankers to the scene, Palodichuk said, and the Santa Clara County Fire Department provided assistance.