I live in Aptos, Ca. I live about 10 miles away from where the fire is burning in the northern part of Santa Cruz County. In the days prior to the beginning of the fire, we had over 90 degree weather for several days, we experienced our first rolling blackout with no cell service that lasted an hour, we were notified that Santa Cruz County may be removed from the Covid19 watch list, and for many, the school year had started with remote learning. Like many places, we are learning to live with the new normal.
The “official fire start” in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties began on August 16 and named the CZU Lightning Complex fire with the hashtag, #CZULightningComplex . Until now, I did not know I lived in the the Cal Fire CZU Fire District. In Santa Cruz during the following days, the weather remained close to 90 degrees each day, smoke filled the skies, and ash blanketed our streets and yards. None of us who had lived in the area can remember this conversion of events in the area that is known for its clean skies and moderate weather conditions. Then came the reports of the fires burning in our neighboring communities of Boulder Creek, Scotts Valley, Bonny Doon and Felton. Next came the evacuation warnings. With each new warning, the fire and evacuation area moved closer to where I live. The fire fighters announced that all they could focus on was evacuation from the area – not able to begin to fight the fire. Then on the fourth day of the event my sister had to evacuate her home in the Scotts Valley area. At the same time, all personnel in UC Santa Cruz were evacuated. Next came the “warnings” to people living on the west side of the City of Santa Cruz that they may have to evacuate. Most people who live in the Santa Cruz area know people who had been evacuated or had now lost their homes. Although I was not in the direct impact area of the fire, I was worried. What should I pack and what could I carry in my car if I had to evacuate? Many of us have spent time hiking or picnicking in places like Big Basin Park or Henry Cowell State Park and other Santa Cruz mountain areas. I wanted ongoing information so I knew how to be prepared or what I could do to help others.
I then learned that the state is organized in fire districts and that where I live is the “CZU Fire District” and thus, part of the reason for the name of this fire. The CZU Fire District team has done an outstanding job of communicating with us in the area. They are communicating in the following ways:
- Updated CalFire Incident Map
- Provided a way to sign up for email updates
- Provided printed incident updates twice a day emailed and posted via Twitter and Facebook
- Created this CZU Lightning Complex fire resource links
- Communicated via their Facebook page
- Became more active on Twitter @CalFireCZU
- Determined the hashtag – CZULightningComplex (some people had to learn how to spell “lightning” vs. “lighting”)
- Began 6am and 6pm video news conferences each day that were carried via TV, Twitter and Facebook
- Provided occasional video updates showing the fire map or how fires are named and adding videos to the Cal Fire CZU YouTube account.
As a result of the above, many of us living in the area added into the Facebook and Twitter feeds. People started online areas offering rooms to evacuated people and where people could drop off supplies. Our Santa Cruz County Foundation began to collect money to disburse to those impacted by the fires. Someone created the Santa Cruz Strong website with important resources. We also learned about looters in our area and scams.
The morning and evening news conferences allowed us to see the faces of those fighting our fires and hearing directly from them about what they have seen and heard. We learned that there was a highly organized coordination among agencies in support of the fire fighting and evacuation effort. Involved groups included Cal Fire groups, Santa Cruz County Sheriff, San Mateo County Sheriff. Each day we heard from 7 different people who were on the front lines. They told us what to watch for and made statements like, “if I were talking with my loved ones, I would tell them it may be 2 weeks before they can return to their homes” or “A battalion chief had his wallet stolen out of his truck in the fire area … and here is his photo when he used the credit card” or “We are sad to announce today the loss of life.” We were able to learn more about the fire fighters involved. We witnessed the expressions on their faces that went from worried to cautious to hopeful as the fire became more contained and the weather became more favorable.
I have appreciated the ongoing coordination and communication of the Cal Fire CZU Fire District.