Fire departments throughout Santa Cruz County are prepared for a dry, hot summer as they grapple with fire season starting earlier and lasting longer than it ever has. Area fire professionals agree that focusing on defensible space around one’s home is the most important thing to mitigate risk.
Wildfires
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz-area fire districts shelve plans to study merger after Central Fire, Scotts Valley withdraw
Central Fire District’s board of directors rejected a plan to study consolidating three Santa Cruz County fire agencies. While the plan, which would have also explored ways fire districts could better collaborate when responding to emergencies, is shelved for now, fire chiefs say they remain open to future talks.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Welcome to the first fire-resistant neighborhood. Now what about the rest of California?
Dixon Trail, in the San Diego suburb of Escondido, is the first purpose-built “wildfire resilient neighborhood” in the United States. Making that a reality for the millions of Californians who already live in harm’s way is a daunting and costly challenge that lawmakers are only just beginning to grapple with.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County fire agencies set to study possible merger after years of discussion
As the City of Santa Cruz, Central Fire and Scotts Valley fire districts embark on a study to explore the feasibility of consolidating or increasing service sharing, fire chiefs say consolidation or improved coordination among the districts could bring better and more robust response to a wider population, and potentially provide financial savings.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville Earth Day celebration highlights disaster preparedness
UC Santa Cruz research focused on the wildland-urban interface and disaster resilience and preparedness will be on interactive display Sunday as Watsonville celebrates Earth Day at its downtown plaza.
Posted inLatest News
Could utility gear set your neighborhood on fire? California risk maps are 8 years old
California’s Public Advocate has been pressing for new utility fire maps since 2023. Utilities are on board — but regulators turned them down.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County seeks community input on natural disaster preparation
Santa Cruz County is seeking community opinions as it updates its Hazard Mitigation Plan to reduce losses from natural disasters, with preparedness events in English and Spanish set for the coming month.
Posted inLatest News
250 pile burns set to take place around Santa Cruz, San Mateo counties
Pile burns are scheduled through April at a number of state parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, including the Forest of Nisene Marks, Henry Cowell and Big Basin.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Californians approved $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention. How will the state spend it?
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed spending climate bond money dedicated to wildfire mitigation in various ways. Some lawmakers think a focused strategy would be more effective.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Why bills to help prevent California fires fail
Each year, California legislation aimed at better wildfire mitigation fails – often due to cost or conflict with environmental regulations.