Lightning Storm Fires Started Sunday Continue Growing
Significant portions of the Northern part of Santa Cruz County are being overwhelmed by smoke and are at risk of the growing fires caused by the lightning storm which took place early Sunday, Aug. 18. Multiple areas are being ordered to evacuate as a result.
CalFire ordered the first evacuation in Santa Cruz County at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 for the Boulder Creek Golf Course and surrounding areas due to the CZU August Lightning Complex fire.
The CZU Lightning Fires tracked on Google Maps.
Currently the following areas are on the mandatory evacuation list:
- Waterman Gap Loop, Upper 236, Boulder Creek Golf Course, Heartwood Hill, Lodge Road, Community of Little Basin, Lower China Grade, Upper China Grade, Community of Kings Highway, Lower Jamison Creek, Gallion Heights, Fallen Leaf Neighborhood, Foxglove Lane.
- Bonny Doon Road, all of Ice Cream Grade, all of Pine Flat Road South.
- Everyone on Empire Grade Road, from Felton Empire north, all of Ice Cream Grade, in between Pine Flat Road, Martin Road, and all associated side streets.
- Last Chance and Big Basin State Park, and Las Cumbres. All of Boulder Creek Fire Protection District. (Zone CRZ1, CRZ2, CRZ10, CRZ13, CRZ14, CRZ15, BOU1 thru BOU43)
Other areas south of those listed, and any adjoining areas, are under an evacuation warning, but residents should be prepared as conditions may change rapidly.
Regardless of the warning, all areas adjacent to the Bonny Doon and San Lorenzo Valley should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. This includes all areas west of Highway 9 from Boulder Creek to Felton, including Ben Lomond.
Please do not head North on Highway 235 or Highway 9. Travel routes are either SOUTH on Highway 9, or EAST on Bear Creek Road.
The Santa Cruz County Fairground has been set up as an evacuation center at 2601 E. Lake Avenue in Watsonville.
Latest CZU August Lightning Complex report: https://files.constantcontact.com/13ae4c7f701/b0de5b91-e73b-49bb-82ac-1b3977350515.pdf.
You can also get updates at https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRECZUSanMateoSantaCruz/
View the most current evacuation information going forward at: www.smco.community.zonehaven.com
Residents who would like to receive email updates can follow the link below to opt-in: https://tinyurl.com/czulightning