Publication Date October 12, 2016 | SFGate

Loma Fire contained after burning more than 4,000 acres

United States
The Loma Fire, which burned through more than 4,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains, was fully contained Wednesday, fire officials said. Photo: Noah Berger, Associated Press
The Loma Fire, which burned through more than 4,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains, was fully contained Wednesday, fire officials said. Photo: Noah Berger, Associated Press

A wildfire that blackened more than 4,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains was fully contained Wednesday, fire officials said.

The Loma Fire ignited Sept. 26 in rugged terrain near Loma Prieta Avenue and Loma Chiquita Road between Los Gatos and Morgan Hill, and burned through 4,474 acres, according to the final report from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials said the blaze was 100 percent contained Wednesday.

At least 300 homes were threatened by the blaze, which had forced scores of residents to evacuate until officials lifted the order. Cal Fire officials said 12 homes were lost in the fire, and 16 other buildings were also destroyed. One home was damaged.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Wildfires have ravaged the region throughout the years, such as the Loma Fire of 2009 that burned 485 acres, injured four and destroyed three structures just a mile from the start of this year’s blaze.

The more devastating Summit Fire of 2008 blackened more than 4,000 acres in the region, resulting in 16 injuries and nearly 100 destroyed structures. One of the most formidable blazes in the region was the Lexington Fire of 1985, a 14,000-acre inferno that destroyed 23 homes and five trailers.