DEC. 1 — APRIL 30, “THE OFFSEASON”: This section of Lookout’s Wildfire Resource Center covers wildfire preparedness topics that are best taken care of during the cool, wet months of the year, such as clearing dead vegetation from your property, getting set up with fire insurance, and retrofitting your home with fireproof materials.
Wildfires
Posted inEnvironment
Santa Cruz drought intensifies from ‘severe’ to ‘extreme’
The drought in Santa Cruz has quickly advanced, moving from the least severe classification, D0, to D3 in just the last three months.
Posted inLatest News
Cal Fire suspends backyard burns in Santa Cruz County unless residents get permits
Since Jan. 1, Cal Fire and other fire agencies across the state have already responded to over 1,354 wildfires. Several wildfires ignited in Santa Cruz County during a hot, dry January.
Posted inEnvironment
How serious is this drought and what does it mean for fire season?
Rainfall and fire fuel moisture levels are significantly below historical averages this year. So how concerned should Santa Cruz County residents be?
Posted inLatest News
How a first date may have led to a murder, a cover-up and a huge wildfire that killed 2
Prosecutors say a Vacaville man killed his date and burned her body in a fire that eventually spread into a massive deadly blaze in Northern California that killed two people in their homes.
Posted inEnvironment
CZU fire not impacting water quality — plus other highlights from the State of the San Lorenzo River event
One post-fire debris flow was observed, no ongoing water quality impacts from the CZU fire.
Posted inLatest News
A megafire could happen again this year: CZU Unit Chief Ian Larkin looks ahead
Cal Fire Chief Ian Larkin reflects on what this year’s fire season could have in store — and what it has already thrown at us: five noteworthy fires to date.
Posted inLatest News
Offseason Boulder Creek wildfire, dubbed ‘Fossil Fire,’ is contained after air support brought in
Cal Fire crews contained a wildfire approaching five acres in size in Boulder Creek Wednesday evening as the mercury soared above 80 degrees for the first time in months.
Posted inLatest News
Newsom green lights more firefighting resources: What that means for fire-ravaged Santa Cruz County
In Santa Cruz County, the funding announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday will supplement current staffing levels by adding a Watsonville-based seasonal crew from the California Conservation Corps
Posted inHousing & Development
‘Very good experience’: Streamlined permitting process shows early success for CZU fire home rebuilders
An expedited permit system, and a 40 percent reduction in fees for fire victims, are aimed at easing the path to recovery for owners of homes lost in the blaze that ripped through the Santa Cruz Mountains in August and September. Can county officials keep it up?