Backyard burn pile Fire Departments Government 

Mandatory Residential Burn Permits Coming to Unincorporated Santa Cruz County

Starting December 1, 2025, residents in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County will need a CAL FIRE Residential Burn Permit to conduct any backyard debris burning. The new requirement, announced jointly by Santa Cruz County and the CAL FIRE San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit (CAL FIRE CZU), standardizes burn regulations countywide and marks a significant shift from past practices. Residential… Read More
Zayante Fire Protection District Fire Departments Local News 

Grant Awarded to SLV Fire Districts for Crash Response and Extrication Improvements

The Zayante Fire Protection District announced that San Lorenzo Valley fire districts have received a $160,500 Regional Crash Response and Extrication Improvement Program grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to purchase new emergency extrication equipment. Awarded in October 2025, the grant supports: Zayante, Boulder Creek, Felton, and Ben Lomond Fire Protection Districts. The funding enables the districts… Read More
Felton Fire Protection District Fire Departments Local News 

Felton Fire Protection District Proposes Parcel Tax to Bolster Emergency Services

By Mary Andersen The Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) has drafted a resolution for a 2026 election for a new parcel tax aimed at supporting the sustainability of its fire protection and emergency medical services. The resolution, posted now for public feedback, requests that the Santa Cruz County Elections Department conduct an all-mail election for residents within the district’s boundaries.… Read More
Felton Fire Protection District Department Fire Departments Government 

Felton Fire to Hold Special Meeting on Proposed Parcel Tax

By Mary Andersen The Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) has scheduled a special Board of Directors meeting for Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a proposed $700 flat parcel tax that could significantly impact Felton residents, renters, and business owners. The meeting, expected to draw a large crowd, will take place in the FFPD Training Room at… Read More
downtown felton california Fire Departments Local News 

Report urges Felton Fire to consider taxing residents or dissolving

About 6,000 residents in Felton Fire Protection District could soon face proposals for a new tax. (Stephen Baxter – Santa Cruz Local file) By Jesse Kathan, Santa Cruz Local This story was originally published by Santa Cruz Local. Sign up for their weekly newsletters. FELTON >> Felton residents may soon face a proposal for a new tax as local regulators pressure Felton… Read More
Tressel Fire Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department Fire Fire Departments Local News 

Multi-Agency Response Contains Tressel Fire in Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire with extention into wildland on Tressel Pass Road north of town. Ben Lomond Fire Department, Felton Fire Protection District, Scotts Valley Fire District, Santa Cruz Fire Department, CAL FIRE CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, AMR, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Trans, and PG&E provided additional support. While the structure… Read More
Fire Departments Uncategorized 

Felton Fire Board Position Open | Applications Due July 19

Notice of Vacancy – for the position of Fire District Director The Felton Fire Protection District has announced a vacancy on its Board of Directors. The Fire Board is now accepting applications to fill the open position, which has been vacant since June 16. The appointed position carries a term that extends through December 2028. Interested applicants must act quickly,… Read More
Zayante Fire Election 2024 Fire Departments Local News 

Zayante Fire’s Measure T

By Robin Musitelli Zayante Fire Chief Jeff Maxwell has noticed a troubling trend. “People think we’re from the County. They have no idea that we’re a volunteer department. All they know is that someone shows up and takes care of business.” That’s troubling to Maxwell for several reasons. First, the small but volunteer-rich fire department is asking voters to approve… Read More
Lukas McClish rescue Fire Departments Local News Valley People 

Lukas McClish Rescued in the Santa Cruz Mountains After Multi-Agency Day Search

By Mary Andersen What started as a short three hour hike exploring a route to a worksite turned into a 10 day ordeal for Lukas McClish. A 34-year-old lifelong resident of Boulder Creek, Lukas was rescued on June 20 after being lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Last sighted in Boulder Creek on the 11th, the McClish family reported him… Read More