If you, your family members, or loved ones are evacuating or preparing to evacuate due to wildfires in our area, here are some resources available to help you during this difficult time.

 

EVACUATION RESOURCES:


Fire and Evacuation Information

Click the links below for the most current information from CAL FIRE

 

Evacuation Centers

  • For up-to-date information on accessible CZU Lighting Fire Shelters and parking, visit: santacruzcounty.us/FireResources.aspx.
  • For those needing help finding accommodations due to fires, call the United Way at 2-1-1or American Red Cross at 1-866-272-2237.

 

Assistance Evacuating or Sheltering Animals

  • If you need assistance evacuating animals, please call 831-471-1182.
  • Pets may be brought to shelters, but must be under owner’s control at all times. A carrier may be helpful.
  • The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds currently has capacity to board horses.

 

Traffic Advisories and Restrictions

 

Disaster Case Management

  • 2-1-1 is managing the registration of fire impacted individuals and households for the Santa Cruz County Long Term Disaster Recovery Group – a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working to address unmet needs through volunteer assistance, in‐kind donations as well as, in some cases, financial aid. Please visit: https://www.211santacruzcounty.org/disaster-resources/ and complete the intake form to start the process and a 2-1-1 Outreach team member will contact you to discuss your needs and get you connected to resources and assistance for which you qualify.

 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

 

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

 

Emergency Supply Kit

 

Pre-Evacuation Checklist

  • This guide created by CalFire shares what you can do (if time allows) both inside and outside of your home to give it the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

 

Resources to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

  • The Santa Cruz County Human Services benefits hotline is 1-888-421-8080 (toll free). Residents impacted by the fire who are enrolled in benefits programs may be eligible for replacement benefits. 
  • Public Wifi Access: Comcast is offering free access to their wifi hotspots for those evacuating and in need of connecting with loved ones or essential services. Those who need this service can choose “xfinitywifi” as their wifi source to automatically connect without any password requirements. The troubleshooting number is: 866-489-0919.
  • To list yourself safe, www.redcross.org/safeandwell to click "List Yourself as Safe and Well.”    
  • For the latest local air quality information: http://air.mbard.org/.
  • First 5 Care Cope Connect: A resource is now available to help the growing number of families in California tackling heightened community stress. The Care, Cope, Connect resource, helps parents cope with stress and provide safety and security for their children. Visit http://first5association.org/care-cope-connect/ for information and to download the coloring book (available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean) for children. 
  • Public Safety Power Shutoff: Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is an event where an electricity provider proactively turns off power in high fire risk areas to reduce the threat of wildfires. PSPS events are one of the ways better ensure the safety of the public. For information, please visit https://www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps. 
  • 2-1-1 Disaster Resources: For a list of additional disaster resources available to community members, visit 211santacruzcounty.org/disaster-resources/.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you are in a position to do so, please consider helping the relief efforts in one of the following ways.

  • The County needs donations of large family tents and cases of water to support evacuees and fire relief efforts. Please deliver to the County warehouse at the rear of the Emeline complex, 1082 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz.  
  • Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has established a community fire relief fund. Go to cfscc.org.