CORRALITOS – Evacuations were ordered Friday night after a prescribed burn jumped control lines in southeastern Santa Cruz County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The blaze, dubbed the Estrada Fire, was first reported at about 2:40 p.m. at Hazel Dell and Hidden Canyon roads in Corralitos.

“We have a wildland fire between Watsonville and Morgan Hill above Hazel Dell Road,” Cal Fire’s San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit confirmed in a tweet roughly two hours later. “We have equipment and aircraft on scene, with additional resources en route.”

The agency initially said the cause of the fire was under investigation, but later confirmed it was the result of a prescribed burn at the Estrada Ranch.

“We are still, of course investigating it, but it looks like, at this point, the fire jumped the control lines from the Estrada Ranch prescribed burn that happened earlier today,” said Cecile Juliette, a spokesperson for the San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit.

As of 9 p.m., the fire covered 150 acres and was 0% contained. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

“We do have a line of fire retardant all around the fire,” Juliette said. “The fire has died down tonight. Crews are going to work throughout the night to establish and strengthen direct control lines.”

Evacuations were ordered for zones PAJ-E001, PAJ-E002, PAJ-E003, PAJ-E007 – all in the Pajaro area – and zone CRZ-E046 in the Summit area was under a warning. An evacuation center has been established at the Corralitos Community Church at 26 Browns Valley Road in Corralitos. Those in need of assistance can call 831-454-2181.

In a news release Thursday, Cal Fire said the prescribed burn was being conducted as part of the agency’s vegetation treatment program and was “intended to reduce fuel accumulations and restore and enhance grassland.” It was scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Prescribed vegetation management burns are carefully planned controlled burns that must meet a predefined set of conditions in order to achieve ideal fire behavior,” the agency said. “No burning takes place if weather and fuel conditions are not within prescription.”

Cal Fire, meanwhile, has cancelled a second prescribed burn at TomKat Ranch in Pescadero. Slated for Sunday, the 10-acre burn was intended to reduce brush on a ridge north of the town.

Check back for updates.