Santa Clara County Fire Department received the call around 3 p.m. for a fire on Kennedy Road near the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The fire, which was in a residential area, was located in a "threat zone," Los Gatos Battalion Chief Lynn Caldwell said. The threat zones often border state properties, and if not controlled, fires can potentially enter these areas.

"Fires in that zone can quickly develop. We try to prevent it from doing so," Caldwell said.

The California Department of Forestry sent a plane and helicopter to fight the fire in the threat zone. Three water drops were made on the fire. Meanwhile, Santa Clara County firefighters were also working on the ground.

The fire was contained around 3:30 p.m. Officials said the fire was possibly caused by an arsonist or by an exhaust pipe from a passing by vehicle. Arson investigator Dennis Johnsen said a witness reported a suspicious person near the scene of the fire around 3 p.m. The cause of the fire, however, is still under investigation.

"We were very happy with the outcome. If the weather was different, this could have been much worse," Caldwell said.

Andy Perrucci was asked to evacuate his home on Kennedy Road.

"The fire was headed right toward his house," Caldwell said.

Perrucci said that at one point he was afraid the fire might reach his house, but after seeing the immediate response from the firefighters his worries vanished.

"It was a quick response. We need that during this season," Perrucci said.

The fire season started about June 1, but because of the rain there have only been two fires in and around Los Gatos. Last year at this time Caldwell said there had already been about six fires.

Firefighters stayed at the scene for almost two hours ensuring the fire was out completely, sawing branches and dosing the area with water.

"We wanted to make sure the fire would not rekindle," Caldwell said.

During the fire season, Caldwell suggests that residents provide clearance around their homes, and that they have an emergency blueprint.

"You need to have a plan--how to contact your family, where to go, what to bring. Ask yourself, 'Is the family organized well enough if there were a fire,' " Caldwell said.

Besides protecting their homes, officials also said residents could protect the land near the freeways and roads by not throwing out cigarette butts.