CZU Lightning Complex Fire Updates

See Below for Situational Updates from the Last 48 Hours

Resources:

9/9/20 UPDATE

Disaster Assistance, Recovery Information Online
If you sustained losses from the fires, you can apply for federal assistance online.

Apply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY).

Additional resources and information are available online at https://www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery

The site includes links to information and resources for emergency food and shelter, frequently asked questions about insurance and tax relief, veterans services and additional assistance for health and wellness, vital records and aid for farmers and ranchers, among other services.

Meanwhile, a Local Assistance Center established at Pescadero Elementary School, 620 North St., Pescadero, will close permanently at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, September 9). Map link.

Following the closure of business, residents may continue to access services at https://www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery.

Fire Update
The CZU Lightning Complex series of fires that began August 16 was reported at 83 percent contained as of this morning. The blaze, which has consumed 86,509 acres, did not grow overnight.

The fire destroyed 59 structures in San Mateo County, according to an initial assessment.

Firefighters caution that warm and dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the week, causing new fire starts that could spread rapidly. Firefighters continued to build and bolster containment lines.

Road closures: Canyon Road at Cloverdale Road and Gazos Creek at Cloverdale Road.

Public safety officials urge non-residents to avoid the fire area and that everyone uses caution when driving.

County parks of the Pescadero Creek Complex remain closed, as they are located in the mandatory evacuation zone for the CZU fire. Big Basin, Butano and other state parks in the area also remain closed.

Evacuation Orders
The following areas remain under mandatory evacuation:

Butano Community area (Zone: SMC-98B)
Butano State Park including Barranca Knolls Community (Zone: SMC-19)
Western areas of San Mateo County (SMC-38C)

Approximately 435 residents remain evacuated. Evacuation orders are lifted when areas are deemed safe.

SMC Health Officer Declares Health Emergency Due to Fires
San Mateo County Health Officer Scott Morrow today declared a local health emergency in response to the CZU Lightning Complex fires after determining that hazardous waste that may be on site is an immediate threat to public health.

The declaration may free up additional funding and bolsters an Aug. 28 emergency regulation to allow temporary access to private property for damage assessments.

The Board of Supervisors will ratify and extend the emergency declaration at its regular Sept. 15, 2020, meeting. The Board also proclaimed a local emergency due to the fires on Aug. 19. Read the news release.

Additional Information and Resources:

For additional information when returning home, refer to www.fire.ca.gov

Click on the link, “Post wildfire” for safety precautions.

Stay up-to date on air conditions at https://www.airnow.gov/

CALFire CZU San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU

Connect with the County of San Mateo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CountyofSanMateo

Follow the County of San Mateo on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sanmateoco

9/8/20 UPDATE

County to Hold Zoom Discussion on Resources, Recovery
San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy, Supervisor Don Horsley and others involved in the wildfire response and recovery efforts invite Coastside residents impacted by the fires to join a Zoom discussion this Wednesday to ensure the community has access to the resources and information needed.

The discussion will be translated live in Spanish.

Who: County of San Mateo, other officials; Coastside residents

What: Discussion of wildfire recovery efforts, access to services

Where: Via Zoom

When: Wednesday, September 9, 4 p.m.

How: Learn more and register.

Get Local Assistance in Pescadero
The County of San Mateo along with numerous partners have opened a Local Assistance Center at Pescadero Elementary School, 620 North St., Pescadero. Map link.

The center will be open today, Tuesday, Sept. 8 and tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

No appointments are necessary. Note: All visitors must wear a face covering to comply with local health orders.

LAC resources are also available at https://www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery.

The center includes representatives from:

Federal Emergency Management Agency
California Department of Motor Vehicles
California Department of Public Health Vital Records
California Department of Social Services
San Mateo County Human Services Agency
San Mateo County Veterans Services Office
Puente de la Costa Sur
San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group

Following the close of business on Wednesday, residents may continue to access services at https://www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery.

Fire Update
The CZU Lightning Complex series of fires that began with lightning strikes on August was reported at 81 percent contained as of this morning.

The blaze has consumed 86,509 acres. Approximately 11 residences in San Mateo County were destroyed.

Evacuation orders continue to be lifted in areas deemed safe. On Monday, residents in 38A — North of Whitehouse Canyon Road to the northern boundary of Zone 38 —and residents in 38B — from Año Nuevo Creek to the southern boundary of Zone 38 — were allowed to return home.

Canyon Road at Cloverdale Road and Gazos Creek at Cloverdale Road remain closed.

Public safety officials continue to urge non-residents to avoid the fire area.

Evacuation Orders
The following areas remain under mandatory evacuation:

Butano Community area (Zone: SMC-98B)
Butano State Park including Barranca Knolls Community (Zone: SMC-19)
Western areas of San Mateo County (SMC-38C)

Additional Information and Resources:

For additional information when returning home, refer to www.fire.ca.gov

Click on the link, “Post wildfire” for safety precautions.

Stay up-to date on air conditions at https://www.airnow.gov/

CALFire CZU San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU

Connect with the County of San Mateo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CountyofSanMateo

Follow the County of San Mateo on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sanmateoco

9/7/2020 UPDATE

PESCADERO, Calif. – Residents in additional areas who were evacuated due to the CZU Lightning Complex fires may immediately return to their homes.

Evacuation orders for the following areas are now reduced to evacuation warnings:

· 38A — North of Whitehouse Canyon Road to the northern boundary of Zone 38

· 38B —From Ano Nuevo Creek to the southern boundary of Zone 38

Zones 19, 38C and 98B remain closed under an evacuation order.

You can look up a specific address to see if the property is currently accessible at www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery

The San Mateo County Public Works Department cautions residents not to remove fire debris from their property at of this time. Details about debris removal will be issued shortly.

Road Closures:

Eastbound Canyon Road at Cloverdale Road denying access to Butano Park area
Gazos Creek Road at Cloverdale Road

Be aware there may be traffic flow interruptions due to fire crews and utility workers still

operating in the area.

State and County parks in the area remain closed.

Fire Update
CalFire officials reported this morning the fire has consumed 86,509 acres and stood at 76 percent containment.

For additional information:

San Mateo County Fire Recovery: https://www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery

View the most current evacuation map at: www.smco.community.zonehaven.com

For electrical safety tips after a wildfire, refer to PG&E at https://tinyurl.com/y7dny9tt

To learn more about wildfire preparedness visit: www.readyforwildfire.org

Critical Needs Assistance Deadline Extended to Sept. 12

The deadline to apply for $500 in critical needs funding for individuals impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex fires has been extended to Sept. 12, 2020, and all residents should begin the disaster application process immediately.

The deadline to apply for cash assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was previously set to expire Sept. 5. Residents with out-of-pocket expenses such as hotel stays may also be eligible for FEMA funding. Residents should immediately register by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or downloading the FEMA app on your smartphone. Be prepared to provide your social security number, insurance information, damage information, household financial information and contact information. U.S. citizenship is not required.

Local Assistance Center Remains Open in Pescadero

The County of San Mateo along with numerous partners opened a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at Pescadero Elementary School, 620 North St., Pescadero. Map link.

The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day of the week through close of business on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

LAC resources are also available at https://www.smcgov.org/smc-wildfire-recovery