Santa Cruz Message from Fire Chief Hajduk: CZU Lightning Complex Fire

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

August 20, 2020

Dear Santa Cruz community,

This is Jason Hajduk, Fire Chief for the City of Santa Cruz. I am writing this personal note to our city residents to update you on the historic fire that we are battling here in the North County. Many of our family and friends have been significantly impacted, and I expect many more lives to be disrupted in the days and weeks ahead.

Your City firefighters are working with Cal Fire and the County to ensure the life and safety of Santa Cruz residents. The fire is extensive and deep-seated within old growth Redwoods and Coastal Oaks. Fire intensity and ember cast has been greater than ever before experienced in this County. We need your help to prepare yourselves and the City for the fight I hope we never have to fight.

I know many of our residents have heard that they need to evacuate. Currently all residents in Santa Cruz City limits (even residents on the Westside) are not expected to evacuate at this time. Wildfires are dynamic events and can be unpredictable.

You should still prepare. This is what you can do right now.

Prepare yourselves and families

• Assemble a GO bag for your home and car
• Gather important documents and heirlooms

Prepare your pets

• Locate your pet carrier and food supplies

Prepare your home

• Gather and secure flammable items from outside your home

Stay informed

• Sign up for immediate updates from SCR 911 (Santa Cruz Regional 911) at Code Red: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/218A80E36F49
• Follow the evacuation map (updated resource): https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f0121f7f2f0941afb3ed70529b2cee75
• Follow Cal Fire CZU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU
• Follow the #CZULightningComplex hashtag

For more detailed information on how to prepare, use the Santa Cruz Fire Department Checklist.

Jason Hajduk

Fire Chief

City of Santa Cruz

This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.