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I am writing with deep concern for the lack of response and information that residents of Santa Cruz County have experienced and received since the eruption of the Moss Landing power plant fire on Jan. 16. 

At 8:45 p.m., almost six hours after the fire erupted, county residents were first notified to remain indoors and close all windows. At that time, I went upstairs in my Capitola apartment (15 miles away) to close the bedroom windows that were open at the time, only to be met with an acrid smell that burned my mouth, throat and eyes. The following day, residents were informed that there was no imminent threat and schools would remain in session. Still, my children reported smelling the smoke and fumes in the air all day at New Brighton Middle School and Soquel High School. 

The fire continued to burn and re-erupted on Jan. 17. Residents were told to follow the AQI (air quality index) to determine safety levels, even though the AQI does not measure for some of the toxic gases that were, and continue to be, emitted by the fire. How can we feel confident our air is safe? 

Santa Cruz County residents want to know what is being monitored independently, how it will be communicated, what ongoing precautions regarding people’s health are being discussed, what will be done to address the prevention of future such scenarios and situations, and what follow-up testing of soil and water will be implemented in order to determine the level of toxicity in our immediate environment. To date, there has been very little information shared with the public, and the reassurances that it is safe to go outside do not coincide with reports of people experiencing spontaneous bloody noses, skin and mouth lesions, shortness of breath, burning and swollen eyes, headaches and coughs. We have also heard cases of pets vomiting. Some living closer to the fire have reported finding a sheen on the surface of water outside their homes.  

We want the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to take up this issue immediately and provide public answers. 

Aurore Sibley 

Capitola