Santa Cruz Message From Mayor Justin Cummings: CZU Lightning Complex Fire

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

August 20, 2020

Dear Santa Cruz Community Members,

We know many of you, your family, and friends are being impacted by the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire. The City is actively working with the County and Cal Fire to respond to the crisis. Things may change rapidly, so pay close attention to direction from public safety and Santa Cruz County.

As of this 8/20/2020 at 6 p.m., the fire has spread to 48,000 acres and 48,000 residents have been evacuated in Santa Cruz County. UC Santa Cruz is currently under an evacuation warning, which means residents should be on alert for possible evacuations but does not require further action at this time. Scotts Valley has just received a mandatory evacuation order.

Be prepared to leave at any time. Sign up for immediate updates from SCR 911 (Santa Cruz Regional 911) at Code Red: https://public.coderedweb.com/...

We will continue to update our community with significant developments as new information becomes available. If you learn your home is being impacted, please take care of yourself and your family first.

Evacuation preparation | Evacuation plan and checklist

Rather than wait until an evacuation order is issued, it is important that you prepare early so that you are ready to go at a moment's notice. Make sure to fuel up your vehicle so that you are not waiting in a long line or risk not having fuel when it is time to evacuate. When preparing to evacuate, make sure to pack important documents such as birth certificates, car titles, proof of address, passports, social security cards, and other important documents that may be difficult to replace. Pack clothing, sleeping bags/blankets, tents (if you have one), heirlooms, hard drives with recent computer backups, laptops, water, food rations, flashlights, toiletries, medication, and any other essential item or keepsake, and don't forget your pets and their food.

Given that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, if there is someone you know who is comfortable with you staying with them, it is worth contacting them sooner than later to ensure you have somewhere to go. If you don't have friends or family you are able to shelter with, there are multiple options listed below.

Make sure to identify an evacuation route and in the event that you need to evacuate, let your neighbors, friends, or family members know when you left, where you are leaving from, where you are heading, and the best way to get in contact with you. It may also be worth posting this information on social media so that friends and family can also find that information there. Below there are links for more information on the fire and additional resources. Please remember to prepare, stay calm, and stay alert. Our firefighters are doing everything in their power to protect our community and we must do our part to protect ourselves.

Shelters/ Emergency Housing

Shelters are open to county residents at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium (307 Church St.) and the County Fairgrounds (2601 E Lake Ave., Watsonville). Pets allowed under the owner’s control. Behavioral Health is also on site for support. Visit Santa Cruz County has put together a hotel availability list, which is expanded to Santa Clara County, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. This list is being updated hourly and can be found at the top of every page at www.santacruz.org or at this link.

Donations

Residents displaced by the CZU August Lightning Complex fires are in urgent need of donations. The County is asking that all donations be in new condition. Please bring all donations to the Santa Cruz County Warehouse at 1082 Emeline, Santa Cruz.

SHELTER ITEMS

Large, family-sized tents Sleeping bags, sleeping pads Blankets Pillows Tarps
WATER AND SNACK ITEMS
Bottled water Granola/energy bars *Other food donations may be brought to Second Harvest Food Bank.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Hand sanitizer Personal hygiene products Toiletries Large plastic storage bins Coloring books, crayons *Clothing and other personal item donations please bring to the nearest Goodwill
HYGIENE SUPPLIES
Surgical masks Empty spray bottles (for county-supplied bulk disinfectant)

Monetary donations can be made to the Santa Cruz Community Foundation Fire Response Fund.

Top Ways to 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

Additional Santa Cruz County Fire Resources | #CZULightningComplex

• Santa Cruz Sheriff’s office: https://twitter.com/SantaCruzSO1
• Traffic restrictions: https://cruz511.org
• Local air quality: http://air.mbard.org
• Red Cross hotline (for accommodations for evacuees only): 1-866-272-2237
• CalFire public information line: 831-335-6717
• List yourself as safe and well: redcross.org/safeandwell
• Santa Cruz County Human Services benefits hotline: 1-888-421-8080. Residents impacted by the fire who are enrolled in benefits programs may be eligible for replacement benefits.

Stay Safe,

Justin Cummings, Ph.D.

Mayor, City of Santa Cruz

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