UPDATE: Vehicles Burn, But Wildland Fire Quickly Extinguished

A fire in the hills above Corralitos destroyed four vehicles and spread into the surrounding brush Friday afternoon, but was quickly contained, CalFire reported.

The fire was reported just after 1 p.m. near 1936 Eureka Canyon Rd. The area was described as both a field and a parking lot, about 100 square feet surrounded by a road. It's about six miles up the hill from the .

Ground crews, helicopters and an air tanker were called in, but the firefighters on the ground were able to handle the fire, according to CalFire spokesman Connor DiNapoli.

The fire was contained within about 30 minutes, though crews remained at the scene—a commercial property—through the afternoon to put out hot spots. About a quarter-acre of brush burned, DiNapoli said.

"It could have been a lot worse," he added.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Friday.

The area where the small fire sparked has been ravaged by wildfire in recent years, motivating residents to be vigilant about possible fires and proactive about preventative measures, such as creating defensible space around their homes. "Thank you" signs dedicated to firefighters are a permanent fixture in the rural, farming area.

In 2009, the Loma Fire burned 485 acres above Corralitos near the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains, destroying at least one home and several vehicles. That fire was blamed on an errant CalFire inmate crew, which was doing a controlled burn in the area. Those who lost homes are now suing CalFire for the damage.

A year prior, in May 2008, the Summit Fire tore through the same area of the Santa Cruz Mountains. More than 60 homes burned.