Santa Cruz Opens Hotel Rooms To House Fire Evacuees

SANTA CRUZ — As wildfires continue to force thousands to flee from their Santa Cruz homes, local officials were working to secure hotel rooms for evacuees Sunday. This was part of a statewide response for anyone impacted by the fires.

Anyone in Santa Cruz County who has been displaced from their home by order of an official evacuation notice is eligible to stay in a hotel room, free of charge. The free hotel assistance program is part of the federal disaster relief package, approved by the White House last week.

Participating hotels are located throughout the greater Bay Area, with some offering transportation and food. Some hotels will allow pets as well, but evacuees are encouraged to check with the hotel beforehand.

The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center worked in coordination with the county's Human Services Department over the weekend to open up hotel rooms for those in need.

A list of current county shelter locations and applications can be found here.

Read more on wildfires in California:

• 1.3 Million Acres Burn As Wind, Lightning Bedevil CA Firefighters
• 'Significant Fire Growth' Anticipated In LNU Lightning Complex
• CZU Lightning Complex Fires Burn 71K Acres; 77,000 Forced To Flee