Cal Fire is planning to burn an estimated 40 acres of grass, bushes and dead trees on Friday at Locatelli Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, if the weather conditions allow for it.
Wildfires
Posted inLatest News
Some county homeowners face proposed insurance rate hikes up to 50% as FAIR Plan struggles with fire risk
Nearly 11,000 Santa Cruz County residents insured through California’s FAIR Plan could face average fire insurance rate hikes of nearly 36% starting in 2026 as part of a statewide proposal submitted to the Department of Insurance.
Posted inLatest News
California State Parks plans prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch
California State Parks is planning to conduct prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch State Park over the next two weeks after the first significant rain event of the season.
Posted inSan Lorenzo Valley
San Lorenzo Valley Water District moves to protect water supply from wildfire
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District announced this week that it is taking action to create and conserve defensible space around dozens of water supply sites.
Posted inFood & Drink
From fire to fallout: CZU’s lasting impact on Santa Cruz County’s wine industry
When the CZU Lightning Complex fires tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2020, vineyards survived the flames, but smoke taint ruined much of the harvest, forcing winemakers to dump spoiled wine and experiment with new styles like rosé and white pinot noir.
Posted inVisual Story
CZU then and now, in photos: From fire’s devastation, a picture of resilience in Santa Cruz Mountains
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud describes what he saw in the days and weeks after the CZU Lightning Complex fire ignited in 2020 and the resilience of Santa Cruz Mountains communities in the five years since.
Posted inSan Lorenzo Valley
One way out: Did Lompico’s narrow escape from CZU leave it more vulnerable to the next big wildfire?
Five years after narrowly escaping the CZU fire, the San Lorenzo Valley community of Lompico is betting everything on its ability to outrace the next megafire. Residents are safeguarding their properties and plans are in the works to construct a second road out of the box canyon.
Posted inEducation
Ben Lomond’s Alba Schoolhouse delisted as historic landmark, but rebuilding efforts continue
The historic Alba Schoolhouse in Ben Lomond was officially delisted from the county’s landmark inventory this week, but a dedicated group of volunteers is pushing forward with long-term plans to rebuild what was lost in the 2020 CZU fire.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
A Boulder Creek tech startup is using drones and AI to detect the next big wildfire
Ember Flash Aerospace is developing and testing an AI-powered system of sensors, cameras and drones aimed at taming California’s intensifying fire seasons, an effort that grew from regular meetings of a group of Boulder Creek residents in the aftermath of the CZU fire.
Posted inLatest News
Forward progress halted on fire east of Nisene Marks
Cal Fire crews stopped forward progress on a fire east of The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and the Soquel Demonstration State Forest that broke out earlier Monday morning.