Although Santa Cruz County will get some windy, dry weather accompanied by the summer sun this weekend, Pacific Gas & Electric did not have any power shutoffs planned for the county as of Friday afternoon, and the National Weather Service is not warning of especially high fire danger in the region.
Wildfires
Posted inLatest News
Cal Fire to conduct prescribed burn in Soquel Demonstration State Forest
Cal Fire plans to conduct a 1-acre prescribed burn on Tuesday in the Soquel Demonstration State Forest, near Sulphur Springs Road.
Posted inLatest News
Cal Fire contains Mount Hermon-area blaze; roads to remain closed into rush hour
Agencies including Cal Fire moved quickly Friday to contain a blaze off Mount Hermon Road between Felton and Scotts Valley, pronouncing the Hermon fire 100% contained just after 1:30 p.m.
Posted inSan Lorenzo Valley
July hike showcases habitat/wildfire resilience project in Zayante
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District and the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County are partnering on a free, 1.5-mile hike through the Olympia Watershed property in Felton on July 12 to showcase recent restoration efforts there.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County firefighters gear up for an active ‘fire year’
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.
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.
