An early-morning fire damaged the McDermott Fire Station in Bonny Doon today, singeing a key piece of equipment but sparing the building from total loss. Around 4:45 AM, crews from CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Fire, and the Felton Fire Protection District responded to reports of a blaze at the mountain station. First-arriving firefighters found an active fire involving a water tender and launched a coordinated attack while simultaneously searching both stories of the building. Crews stopped the flames from spreading beyond the vehicle and limited the fire’s forward progress, although the station sustained smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported in initial updates.
Firefighters attacked the blaze and searched the building
According to CAL FIRE San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit, crews "conducted primary search of both stories and simultaneously conducted fire attack." The unit reported that the McDermott station sustained smoke and water damage, and that the cause of the fire remains undetermined and under investigation.
At approximately 4:45 this morning, crews from CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Fire and Felton FPD, responded to a call in report of a fire at the McDermott Fire Station at 7276 Empire Grade Rd.
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) March 18, 2026
First arriving resources found active fire and the water tender involved. Crews set… pic.twitter.com/aJ5yEYUIvx
Station details and local response capacity
McDermott is listed as Station 34 on the Santa Cruz County Fire Department station roster and is located on Empire Grade in the Bonny Doon area. The county’s master plan describes the facility at 7276 Empire Grade as a two-story, sprinklered metal-frame station with apparatus bays that support volunteer operations and county apparatus.
Why this matters in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Bonny Doon Fire & Rescue notes the site normally houses engines and a water tender that are relied upon for long-haul and rural responses, and damage to that apparatus can strain coverage on steep, remote runs. The community remains sensitive to fires after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex, which burned more than 86,000 acres across San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties and destroyed many homes, a reminder of how important local stations and equipment are to public safety.
What investigators and residents should watch for next
CAL FIRE says the origin of the blaze is under investigation and officials have not yet released a timeline for repairs or for the station’s operational status. Residents and motorists in the area are being urged to monitor official agency channels for updates from CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Fire and the Felton Fire Protection District as the agencies assess damage and outline recovery steps.
