Live On The Outskirts Of Santa Cruz? Be Wary Of Wildfires

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Gone are the days when urban areas in California were generally presumed safe from wildfire; even an ember traveling on the wind can bring destruction. With 2020 just around the corner, the City of Santa Cruz is asking residents who live in Wildland Urban Interface Areas — or neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city that back up to more rural areas — to ensure they're in compliance with local regulations.

Residents can check here to see if they're in a WUI zone. According to the city, anyone living in one of the highlighted regions must:

• Manage fuels on the property that come within 100 feet of the home, with more intense management in the first 30 feet from the home;
• Remove trees and branches within 10 feet of the chimney or stovepipe;
• Maintain vegetation near the overhanging of a building;
• Keep roofs free of leaves, needles and other vegetation.

Read more about Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area building and other regulations here. Anyone with questions may contact Fire Prevention Technician Kelly Kumec at kkumec@cityofsantacruz.com or 831-420-5284.