Updated Daily: Pandemic, Fires...What Next?
J and daughter
Update 8/27: Our hearts are aching for Blue Mind author J Nichols and his family in the devastating loss of their home that was a retreat for so many hundreds of people who believed in the healing powers of the ocean and water. This video by KSBW will leave you in tears: Evacuees return to find homes burned to the ground. So many families that have lost so much. Communities are devastated as fires continue in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and evacuation orders persist. Please help by donating money, food, clothing, anything (see below).
Joby Aviation HQ Spared by CZU Lightning Complex Fires
As of August 27th, 81,131 acres have burned at 21% containment. According to the latest count, 646 structures have been destroyed. 1983 personnel are on fire duty. The last few days have been positive for fire suppression with backfiring and increasing containment. Shifting wind did not allow for air drops. Air quality in Santa Cruz continues to be unhealthy. Positive news is that UC Santa Cruz has lifted evacuation orders and the Mother and father of the forest, ancient old-growth redwoods both survived in Big Basin. Stories of the Bonny Doon communities historic efforts continue to reach us, as funding campaigns ramp up to support displaced individuals and destroyed farms and infrastructure.
Resources and Opportunities
Opportunties to Help
City of Santa Cruz: Page will be updated as resources and information becomes available
Save the Farms: Highlighting local farms with funding campaigns to rebuild
Fire Response Fund: thanks to Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. Donations to the fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and organizations directly assisting individuals to meet needs as they arise.
Help UCSC: learn how to help at UCSC
MBOSC How to Help: MBOSC resources
Maps, Information, and Resources
Santa Cruz County Damage Assessment Map: Inspections are ongoing and automatically update
Available Lodging: realtime updates for evacuees
ZONEHAVEN: Realtime evacuation and incident information.
CALTOPO: Detailed Realtime Fire Data and Wind Projections
National Fire Situational Awareness: Realtime map with detailed fire detection
NASA FIRMS: A realtime site for active fire data.
WIFIRE Map: Realtime satellite fire detection and smoke analysis
Purple Air Map: Current air quality by location
CA Fire Incident Report: Status updates, evacuation orders, and warnings
Citizen: an app with near-realtime updates on everything from fires to kidnapping. Make Me Smart podcast interview with CEO of Citizen
Supervisor Ryan Coonerty will hold a telephone Townhall with Cal Fire and Sheriff Hart at 12pm. Dial 831-454-2222 then enter collaboration code 570170.
Disaster Relief Information: latest information on assistance from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
FEMA Disaster Relief: application for FEMA assistance.
Photos by Santa Cruz Staff Member Adrian Dolatschko
More Resources:
Twitter (Cal Fire CZU, SC Fire Dispatch):
Emergency Services/Resources:
http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/departments/emergencyservices.aspx
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
http://equineevac.org/ (SC County Equine & Farm Animals Evac)
Email Alerts from Cal Fire for CZU Lightning Complex Fire:
UCSC Fire Updates and Information
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Thank you to all of the brave first responders who are risking their lives and lungs to keep us safe. We are so incredibly grateful and humbled by your efforts.
We know that the past several months have been very difficult and the current fire situation is putting an additional strain on resources. Please, please, if you are able to help (via donations, a spare room/space to house evacuees, the ability to foster pets, etc.) we ask that you do all you can to help our community.
Our taproom is currently closed for pick-up, however, we know that in times like these, beer can feel like a welcome escape, so the second we can safely reopen and get you your crispy beverages, we will let you know! You're still able to reserve our beer online (both 4-packs and crowlers) and can schedule your pick-up for a later date in the week. If you can't pick up your beer next week, don't worry about it, we'll hold it as long as you need. Safety is the priority. For now, stay informed, hug your loved ones and please remember that we're all in this together 🌈
Map/evacuation resources
Shelter resources
CZU August Lightning Fire shelters (English)
CZU August Lightning Fire shelters (En Español)
If you need assistance evacuating animals, please call 831-471-1182
Food resources
Bilingual Family Resource Calendar (food pantry, meal sites, crisis support, and healthcare)
Call the Community Food Hotline at (831) 662-0991
Aid/volunteer resources
Volunteer at a Fire Shelter in Watsonville, Santa Cruz or Soquel
Santa Cruz County Fire Assistance (big spreadsheet of needs, what can be offered, other very important volunteer info)
Facebook groups/social accounts with current helpful info
Evacuation checklist
Status 8/25 Fire breaks have been constructed to protect the City of Santa Cruz. Favorable wind conditions and a strong marine layer have aided containment in recent days. Spot fires still threaten structures in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our hearts are sadden by the impact to our friends in Bonny Doon, Big Basin, and the San Lorenzo Valley. We know that all employees of Joby Aviation are safely relocated. Our team members Tom Padula and Autumn Cordone have moved their horses and animals to Watsonville. View important information and help support those displaced through the below links.
Status: 8/23/2020 As we publish this updated newsletter, evacuation notices are in effect for Scotts Valley west of Highway 17 and UCSC. Notices are under consideration for the westside of Santa Cruz. Our hearts are sadden by the impact to our friends in Bonny Doon, Big Basin, and the San Lorenzo Valley. We know that all employees of Joby Aviation are safely relocated. Our team members Tom Padula and Autumn Cordone have moved their horses and animals to Watsonville. Wilder Ranch, which is only 2 miles north of our city limit, is now evacuating their animals.
9:00am PT Thursday, August 20, 2020
Status: 8/20/2020 As we publish this newsletter, evacuation notices are being considered for the westside of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. Our hearts are sadden by the impact to our friends in Bonny Doon and Big Basin. We know that all employees of Joby Aviation are safely relocated . Our team members Tom Padula and Autumn Cordone have moved their horses and animals to Watsonville. Wilder Ranch, which is only 2 miles north of our city limit, is now evacuating their animals.