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Updates & Resources:Inciweb incident Information: UpdatesMonterey County Emergency Services: InformationThose affected by wildfires can apply for disaster assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling (800) 621-3362.Note: This page below also includes archived stories from past fire coverage.

CZU Lightning Complex Fire—Santa Cruz County

CZU Lightning Complex Fire Santa Cruz
Cal Fire
The CZU Lightning Complex Fire burns near Cascade Ranch State Park in Pescadero.

Back to Wildfires: Updates & Resourcespage

This page is no longer being updated. It includes resources for communities affected by the CZU Lightning Complex.

The CZU Lightning Complex fire broke out on August 16, 2020 and burned over 86,500 acres. Firefighters fully contained the blaze on September 22, 2020.

The fire destroyed over 900 homes in Santa Cruz County and over a dozen in San Mateo County.

For more information, visit the Cal Fire incident page

Evacuation Information

For updated information on evacuation orders and warnings, see this map.

A list of open shelters is available here.  

To check the status of your house, visit this damage assessment map from Santa Cruz County.

For information on accommodations for evacuees, call 211 or the Red Cross at (800) Redcross / (800) 733-2767.

Evacuees may be eligible for FEMA's Hotel Program. More information available here.

There is a hotline for evacuees who are staying in hotels. Those who may need to renew their reservations or have questions about the program, call 831-454-2181.

Returning Home After Evacuation

A do-not-drink and do-not-boil advisory was issued for parts of the San Lorenzo Valley. Visit the San Lorenzo Water District website for more information.

The Santa Cruz Office of Emergency Services continues to conduct Safety Assessments on land parcels affected by the CZU Lightning Complex. They warn those returning to areas that have been examined that a red tag means do not enter, a yellow tag means limited occupancy and no tag means the property is safe.

Cal Fire has a list of things to check around the house when returning home after an evacuation order. 

Road closure information is available here.

Resources for Fire Survivors 

The Recovery Resource Center will close on September 30. The joint federal, state and local center has helped thousands of residents impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire since it opened on August 29.  The center, which is located at the Kaiser Permanente Arena, will operate under reduced hours up until its closure. The center will be closed Sunday, September 20 and Sundy, September 27. Beginning Monday, September 21 it will be open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Resources are also available at the Virtual Recovery Resource Center.

Those who were affected by the CZU Lightning Complex, including those lost their homes, can apply for financial assistance from FEMA. The deadline is October 21. Visit disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA app to start your application. 

Other Resources

Follow along on Twitter at @CALFIRECZU.

Sign up for Cal Fire email updates.

Sign up for Code Red alerts.

Monitor air quality here.

For Animal Evacuation, please call Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 831-471-1182.

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