Crime & Safety
CZU Lightning Complex: More Evacuations Ordered
Evacuation orders expanded Thursday as fires encroach on communities in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.
SANTA CRUZ and SAN MATEO COUNTIES, CA — The University of California campus at Santa Cruz and most of the nearby town of Scotts Valley were ordered evacuated Thursday evening, local police said, as the group of fires in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties known as the CZU Complex continued burning out of control after consuming 40,000 acres.
The latest evacuation order covered the communities of Felton and Paradise Valley and the area around State Route 35, as well as all of Scotts Valley west of Highway 17 and the UC campus. About 12,000 people live in Scotts Valley, and 20,000 students attend the university, though most were
studying remotely due to restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Cal Fire estimates that more than 22,000 people have had to flea the area.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Fire activity may dictate more evacuations and road closures in the days to come," Cal Fire said in a statement at 8:40 p.m. "Firefighting resources are limited due to the number of fires burning throughout Northern California. Limited visibility due to smoke is hampering aircraft
operations."
This group of fires has destroyed 20 structures and injured three firefighters and civilians, according to Cal Fire. Details were not available.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Shelters at Santa Cruz County Fairground, 2601 E. Lake Avenue in Watsonville, and the Santa Cruz Seventh Day Adventist Camp Ground, 1931 Soquel San Jose Rd. in Santa Cruz, were still accepting evacuees, and space has been set aside for evacuees in several parking lots. The shelter at the
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium was full.
The coastal communities and redwood-studded hillsides of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties also were under evacuation orders. Towns in those areas include Pescadero, San Gregorio, La Honda and Skylonda.
Residents of those areas are encouraged to shelter at Half Moon Bay High School, 1 Lewis Foster Dr., Half Moon Bay.
Newly added evacaution orders on Thursday in Santa Cruz County include:
- Santa Cruz County Fairground, 2601 E. Lake Avenue, Watsonville
- Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz (At Capacity)
- Santa Cruz Seventh Day Adventist Camp Ground, 1931 Soquel San Jose Road
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In San Mateo County, evacuation orders now include:
San Mateo County's evacuation center is at Half Moon Bay High School, 1 Lewis Foster Drive, Half Moon Bay.
>>>>> Tourists Asked To Leave Santa Cruz County ASAP As Fires Rage <<<<<
San Mateo County road closures
Santa Cruz County road closures
You are seeing what our air operations are seeing. Incredible. Destructive. Sad. #CZULightningComplex pic.twitter.com/1XfpgwkrHU
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 21, 2020
Excellent work. Thank you. https://t.co/uY1HgQL9Ly
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 20, 2020
INTENSE SPOTTING: Here’s a look from the helicopter flying over Empire Grade in Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County #CaWx @NWSBayArea #Smoky @weatherchannel #CZULightningComplex pic.twitter.com/qZVfwtYPaZ
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 20, 2020
Plan. Prepare. Stay Aware. Remember the Six P's -People and pets -Papers -Prescriptions -Pictures -Personal Devices -"Plastic" (Credit/ATM Cards) https://t.co/evYmdBqIzA
— Caltrans District 4 (@CaltransD4) August 20, 2020
See Also:
- 2,500 Lightning Strikes, More To Come In Bay Area: SEE
- CA Fires Latest: Hundreds Of Blazes Balloon In The Golden State
- These Surreal Photos Demonstrate The Severity Of CA's Wildfires
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