Published August 6, 2025
In the early hours of Friday, August 1 a fire burned within Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. A Midpen ranger who lives in staff housing on site first reported the fire at 1:35 a.m. After the response was underway an autonomous wildfire sensor recently installed in the preserve also reported the fire, showcasing a crucial redundancy that helped ensure a timely response.
“Thankfully our on-site Ranger was able to observe, report and initiate the response to the fire,” said Midpen Assistant General Manager Brian Malone. “Considering that this was the middle of the night, she just as easily could have been asleep, so it’s great that there is a backup wildfire sensor that could also initiate the response.”
The fire, which burned approximately 3 acres, was quickly contained after a multi-agency effort.
The fire burned through grassland and into an oak woodland. The annual brushing of trails and roadways within the preserves that Midpen staff had done stopped the fire at the Waterwheel Creek Trail and helped provide safe access for fire equipment to the area. Midpen rangers and maintenance staff, Santa Clara County Fire and CAL FIRE all responded to help quickly contain the blaze. Midpen equipment operators responding in the early hours of the morning with Midpen’s 2,000-gallon water truck were instrumental in supplying water to crews working to suppress the fire and mop the area with water to prevent any rekindling.
This incident highlights the importance of proactive measures like on-site ranger residences, ongoing annual vegetation management, road and trail maintenance and the use of early detection technology.
For more information on Midpen’s Wildland Fire Resiliency Program, visit openspace.org/fire.