What is the CZU Fire? 

The fire officially started on Aug 16th at 6AM after about 11,000 bolts of lightning hit the San Mateo and Santa Cruz area causing hundreds of fires. There were several other fires that were started as a result of these bolts of lightning.

After these lightning bolts caused many mini fires, the wind shifted which spread north causing a rapid expansion of the fire. CZU references the fire abbreviation from CalFire for the Santa Cruz and San Mateo areas.

One person died and one other injured.

It burned 86,509 acres in total.

2-3 years post-CZU Fire recovery

Out of 911 homes that were destroyed during these fires only 152 have passed the three pre-clearances that Santa Cruz county has mandated, 187 were in the process  of getting fully permitted. Within Big Basin Park about 97% of the park was destroyed by the fire. In Big Basin park a lot of the trees survived with with small sprouting coming out of the burned trees. Hopefully within the next few years overnight camping will become allowed again. The threat of fire has not gone away, CalFire still warns Santa Cruz residents to vigilant. Santa Cruz county and other neighboring counties have started to adopt indigenous practices of prescribed burns. The prescribed burns are extremely important to making sure that the area can renew its natural resources and keep the harmful brush that causes fires to spread to be reduced.

Progress Has Been Far and Few 

While the county states that progress is moving at a good pace, despite a lack of man power. The price for building materials has skyrocketed putting homeowners in debt before they can even start the rebuilding process. Because of this high price of rebuilding, many are wondering if rebuilding is even worth it? People are starting to look into creative options to cut costs. One family opting to create yurts on their former property to avoid the large rent hikes in Santa Cruz county. With the county changing policies, COVID, and supplies becoming too expensive it is creating hardship for people who have already lost so much from these fires. According to the permit dashboard only 24 houses have been fully rebuilt. making up only 10%. With 75% of homes still in the process of getting permits.

Time Line of Evacuations for the CZU Complex Fires

Aug. 2020- CalFire made a statement that people in the Santa Cruz and San Mateo area had to evacuate

Throughout Aug. 2020- More than 60,000 residences were forced to evacuate. Big Basin National Park was also evacuated  

Sept. 4 2020- Over 6,000 people were allowed to return to their homes with more in the next days 

Sept. 9, 2020- The CZU Lightning Complex fire was 100% contained