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?
Wildfires
Posted inLatest News
Rising seas, worsening wildfires endanger Big Basin, other California parks
Big Basin, nearly wiped out by fire, remains closed as the state struggles to protect nearly 300 parks from climate change. Solutions are costly: thinning forests, adding sand to beaches, moving parking lots and buildings.
Posted inLatest News
Cal Fire talks ‘drought and climate change’ while breaking down response to CZU Lightning Complex fires
The first of two virtual community meetings summarized the CZU Lightning Complex fires and covered how conditions were such that 64,000 acres burned within Santa Cruz County in August.
Posted inLatest News
Was your home damaged in CZU fires? Non-profit affiliated with county wants to hear from you
The county is urging people fill out a brief survey from United Policyholders to understand more about the wildfire recovery process. The survey is anonymous.
Posted inLatest News
Sheriff seeks witnesses to several Felton-area fires after charging woman with arson
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Dirty drinking water post-wildfires remains a major concern for some in the San Lorenzo Valley
They’ve endured wildfires, smoke damage and mudslide fears. One more concern for residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains: the quality of their drinking water.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Electrical issue tied to illegal indoor cannabis grows prompts county to warn public about fire risk
The detection of electrical meter tampering and bypassing in mountain, wooded areas such as Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond have county officials asking people to be aware of — and report — such hazards.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Those whose work lives were affected by CZU fires can get paid for helping with recovery
$1.5 million grant will provide work for 75 unemployed or underemployed people. They will be deployed to conduct fire recovery and resiliency activities in specific park and open space locations impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex fires.
Posted inUncategorized
The mad musical love that keeps on giving: Cello on a torched Bonny Doon hill latest ode to CZU fire victims
THE HERE & NOW: Love You Madly still raising funds and awareness on behalf of fire victims; Clam Chowder Cook-Off pushing through; UCSC’s African American Theater Troupe marks 30 years
Posted inLatest News
Cal Fire investigating downed wires as ‘potential origin’ of Freedom Fire, PG&E report says
LOOKOUT SPECIAL REPORT: It hasn’t yet been determined if downed power lines sparked rare winter fires that displaced…