Davenport residents evacuate as CZU August Lightning Complex Fire spreads

DAVENPORT, Calif. (KION)

Fire and police officials are warning people to stay away from the Swanton Road and Davenport Road area as the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire quickly spreads.

Winds picked up quickly, making the fire spread and forcing many to flee the Swanton Road and Davenport Road area as flames made their way down the hills.

With power outages in the area, Davenport residents are currently seeking a safe place to shelter.

Some said they had all but twenty minutes to evacuate the area while others hunkered down by the shore.

"There's been a lot of loss of homes, I can't tell you how many but I do know that a number of the people that I know well here have lost their homes" said one Davenport resident.

Along Davenport Road area, residents say parts of the area have been without power since 5 a.m.

Many of the residents in Davenport said they are unsure what they will do or where they will go in the next 24 hours.

Cal Fire officials said it is tough to get an understanding of how many homes were damaged but an early count shows 20 homes have been destroyed between the Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties so far.

More on the evacuations tonight at 10 and 11 p.m.