Some Bonny Doon residents refuse to evacuate, stay behind to save their homes
It’s not something Cal Fire or law enforcement condones, but with limited official resources, the residents say they felt like they had to do something.
70-year-old man found dead; wildfires rage through Northern California
The Santa Cruz fire is one of three “complexes,” or groups of fires, burning on all sides of the San Francisco Bay Area. All were started by lightning.
Crews brace for high winds, thunderstorms in Bay Area fire fight
Forecast expects high temperatures, low humidity and wind gusts up to 65 mph that "may result in dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior."
Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff investigating theft from fire commander
Sara Zendehnam reports.
Santa Cruz County urges evacuees in tents to get indoors, expands shelter offerings
The county has opened a new and ADA-compliant shelter and also says free hotel accommodations may be available for some evacuees.
'It could be weeks' before evacuated Santa Cruz and San Mateo county residents get to return home
"We have fires burning in areas that may haven ever burned at all," Cal Fire's Unit Chief Ian Larkin said.
Residents describe gridlock as they evacuate CZU Lightning Complex fires
There are now a half dozen evacuation centers, just for people fleeing the CZU Lightning Complex fire.
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter taking in pets of fire evacuees for free
Evacuees who can't care for their animals during the crisis can drop them off at the shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
CZU August Fires forcing nearly 50,000 people to evacuate
The CZU August Lightning Fire has consumed more than 48,000 acres, causing nearly 50,000 people to evacuate.
CZU August Lightning Complex Fire nearly doubles in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties
More than 22,000 residents have already been told to leave their homes because of the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, named after the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit fighting the blaze.
California's oldest state park, Big Basin, suffers extensive damage because of wildfire
The raging fire damaged the park’s headquarters, historic core and campgrounds, the park district said. As of Thursday, the fire, spanning Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties, had scorched 40,000 acres.
Santa Cruz County tells visitors to leave immediately
County officials said they are trying to free up shelter capacity as residents have been ordered to flee their homes due to the raging CZU August Lightning Complex.
Thousands evacuated in CZU August Lightning Complex Fire in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties
22 small fires have merged as one known as the CZU Fire. The fire has burned 25,000 acres with zero percent containment and at least 20 structures have been destroyed.
Local officials, Cal Fire provides an update on CZU Complex Fires in San Mateo, Santa Cruz Counties
The update was held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
CZU August Fire grows to 25,000 acres, over 22,000 residents evacuated in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties
The cluster of fires is being called the CZU August Lightning Complex.
Wildfires prompt evacuations in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties
The CZU complex has forced over 22,000 residents to evacuate immediately.
Wednesday afternoon over the CZU Fires
SkyFOX flew over the fire burning in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
Helicopter drops water on top of San Mateo/Santa Cruz Co. fire
SkyFOX took this video at 3:37 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
California adds 5 counties to the watchlist; Santa Cruz County is now off
Amador, Mendocino, Calaveras, Sierra and Inyo counties are now on the list of those facing more restrictions on business and school reopenings. Santa Cruz County was removed from the list.
Santa Cruz County partners with UC Santa Cruz to expand COVID-19 testing capacity
The Molecular Diagnostic Lab is increasingly one of the most popular testing locations for local health organizations, according to county officials.