Map: Fire closes Santa Cruz Mountains trail

A fire that ignited overnight in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve burned about 5 acres and forced the closure of a trail, the open space district said.

The fire, called Montebello, was reported in the early hours of Friday, Aug. 1, in rugged terrain at the preserve’s southeast corner, about 1½ miles southeast of Black Mountain.

Hand crews were called in to control the fire. Around 9 a.m., the district announced Waterwheel Creek Trail was closed during the mop-up operation.

The trail is off Montebello Road in an area of vineyards, including Ridge, Vidovich and Fellom Ranch.