Over a year after losing their rental home in the CZU Lightning Complex fire, Luke Politte and Amber Julien — along with son Leo and two dogs — will finally have a permanent spot to land, thanks to Habitat for Humanity. “It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off of our shoulders,” Julien said.
Wildfires
Posted inEnvironment
For 70 years, Christmas trees were the family business. Then came drought. And fire
For three generations, farming trees has brought joy and heartbreak. Now their livelihood is at stake.
Posted inCoast Life
Sorting through the storm’s aftermath: No debris-flow issues make for a good ‘dry run’ before winter
While the Santa Cruz Mountains saw plenty of rainfall Sunday, it wasn’t at the rate and amount that experts believe will pose debris flow issues in the CZU fire burn scar. And it might have been good preparation for weather events ahead.
Posted inLatest News
Heavy rain unleashes mud, debris flows in Northern California areas burned by wildfire
Heavy rain in Northern California unleashed mud and debris flows and shut down at least one critical highway by Sunday morning.
Posted inEvents, Housing & Development
Watching the sky warily: CZU fire families worry about rebuilds as rain starts
Santa Cruz County residents looking to rebuild after the CZU Complex fire last year are worried about how the rainy season will affect things. Making things more complicated, some are running up against insurance deadlines.
Posted inEnvironment
PG&E warns of another power shut-off affecting up to 29,000 customers; Santa Cruz County not on list
Twenty counties in Northern and Central California could be affected Thursday in order to reduce the risk of wildfire from energized power lines; as of Tuesday afternoon, Santa Cruz County was among those counties.
Posted inEnvironment
Alisal fire threatens homes, burning 8,000 acres and closing Highway 101, amid gusty winds
Fueled by bone-dry vegetation, flames from the Alisal fire in Santa Barbara County prompted officials to shut down the 101 between Pacific Coast Highway and Winchester Canyon/Cathedral Oaks Road. It remained closed in both directions on Tuesday morning after flames jumped the freeway in several spots.
Posted inEnvironment
How much do wildfires really cost California’s economy?
A preliminary estimate shows that the Caldor fire cost tens of millions in lost economic activity. Wildfires, and the economic disruption they cause, have a large economic impact. But right now, California has a mostly incomplete picture of how much fires cost the state each year.
Posted inLatest News
Newsom signs ‘monumental’ law paving way for more prescribed burns
The new law limits the liability of private landowners and public agencies that use prescribed fires under specified conditions.
Posted inHousing & Development
Q&A: Director of county office of response, recovery and resilience talks about the CZU rebuilding process
Dave Reid is in charge of making the process of rebuilding as easy as possible for those who lost their homes in the wake of the CZU fire. The director of the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience said he understands families’ frustrations and is looking for ways to help.