Our hearts go out to those affected by one of the most significant fires Santa Cruz County has seen in years. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and out of harm's way.
Stay up to date on evacuation warnings and orders from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire by signing up for alerts from Cal Fire here. Review a map of the evacuation area here and learn more from Cal Fire here on their website. View live Twitter updates on evacuation orders and updates by Santa Cruz and San Mateo Cal Fire here and Santa Cruz County here.
Call 1-866-272-2237 for more information about where to evacuate.
View an interactive map of wildfires burning across California here.
Local Shelter Sites & Animal Assistance
If you are in need of shelter, Santa Cruz County has opened the fairgrounds in Watsonville (source) as the evacuation center. The address is 2601 E. Lake Avenue.
The fairgrounds is also the evacuation site for animals and livestock. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and The Equine Evacuation Team can assist with evacuating horses and livestock, their number is 831-471-1182.
The Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium at 307 Church Street is also open for fire evacuees, but with limited capacity. The Civic evacuation center is allowing pets in carriers.
You can also call the Red Cross Hotline at 866-272-2237 for help finding accommodations if you are forced to evacuate. If you are able, "List Yourself as Safe and Well” to let loved ones know you are ok.
Food Resources
August Family Resource Calendar for open food pantries, meal sites, crisis support, and healthcare.
Reach out to the Santa Cruz Fire Assistance & Resources Facebook group for mutual aid. Post what you need and what you can offer.
If You Want to Donate & Help
Santa Cruz County is accepting contributions of large, family-sized tents at the Emeline Warehouse, 1082 Emeline in Santa Cruz. The County asks that you do not donate food during disasters.
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is in need of cat litter boxes, cat litter, dry dog, and cat food. They are asking donations be dropped off at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz. If you have been displaced and need pet supplies, you can come to the Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz for supplies as well.
Donate locally to nonprofit organizations serving evacuated areas:
- Davenport Resource Service Center
- Valley Churches United
- Mountain Community Resources
- Community Foundation Fire Response Fund
The Watsonville Fair Grounds are in need of volunteers to provide care and comfort to people who have evacuated their homes due to the current fire.
Give toiletries, tents, and air purifiers to the Community Action Board who are serving seniors and farmworkers in Davenport.
Here is a master document where you can find additional resources and submit individual needs or offers.
Sign up for a shift at the CAL FIRE call center on Ocean Street to answer questions that local residents may have about the fires. Shifts are two hours each, and you can sign up via this link.
Offer up a room or storage space for folks evacuating using this master doc.
The Community Action Board is currently accepting monetary donations and is seeking N95 masks, gift cards, hotel vouchers, toiletries, and hygiene items. Donate here or email rubenp@cabinc.org to coordinate drop-offs.
Other Information
If you receive benefits from Santa Cruz County and have been impacted by the fire you can call the Human Services Benefits Hotline at 1-888-421-8080, to receive replacement benefits.
Many roads are closed because of the fires, Cal Fire and County Officials ask you to please keep roads open and stay home unless you are called to evacuate. If you do need to go out though you can check the status of roads here.
The air quality has been affected by the fires. The Monterey Bay Air Resources Board has issued an air quality advisory that indicates that the air is unhealthy for those in sensitive groups.
Read up on the City of Santa Cruz's Disaster Preparedness Guide for ways to keep you and your loved ones safe. Find their emergency supplies checklist here.
Get prepared for wildfire before it strikes by following Cal Fire's Ready, Set, Go!
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Cover image courtesy of Mercury News