Fire Recovery Archives

Meet Dan Walters, Zayante’s New Fire Chief

September 9, 2021September 21, 2021 slvpost.com0 comment

By Mary Andersen After 33 years serving Santa Cruz and Felton fire districts, longtime local Dan Walters is overseeing the Zayante Fire Protection District. He succeeded outgoing chief John Stipes at the end of July this year. “My main goal going forward is to educate the community on the fire risks that continue today and then to improve opportunities for… Read More

Fire Recovery Local News

Fire Recovery Lags

September 3, 2021September 17, 2021 slvpost.combonny doon, central coast, Davenport, last chance road, Swanton0 comment

By Jayme Ackemann When a 4Leaf, Inc. consulting geologist made three trips to Last Chance resident Ali McCargo’s Davenport property and couldn’t find it – Ali became concerned. Santa Cruz County promised a “streamlined process” when San Lorenzo Valley residents began returning to their fire-devastated communities. But fire survivors are asking what that really meant as we reflect on the… Read More

Fire Recovery Local News

Rebuilding Challenges Continue

August 29, 2021September 4, 2021 slvpost.com0 comment

By Antonia Bradford In the year since the CZU Fire of 2020, fire families have been grieving and processing our losses all while trying to work, raise children, and rebuild our homes. For many of us, rebuilding efforts have been stalled by Santa Cruz County’s Planning Department. Before the smoke cleared last year, we were assured by County officials that… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Fire Recovery Real Estate

SLV Homes: Defensible Space and Home Hardening

August 1, 2021September 28, 2023 slvpost.comdefensible space, fire recovery, home hardening0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Given the one year anniversary of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, here’s a summary of the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors Fire Safety and Prevention Panel, presented by Mark Bingham, Boulder Creek Fire Chief; Mike Ayers, Ben Lomond Assistant Chief; Mike DeMars, Fire Marshall Central Fire District; and Greg Vandervoort, Fire Prevention Captain at Scotts Valley Fire… Read More

Christopher Bradford Fallen Leaf Boulder Creek

Fire Recovery Local News

CZU Fire Families: Rebuilding Stalled

July 25, 2021August 29, 2021 slvpost.com3 Comments

By Antonia Bradford On August 16th, 2020 the Santa Cruz Mountains experienced an intense dry lightning storm that sparked the CZU fire. The fire burned for 38 days, destroying 1,490 buildings including the homes of 911 families. As we approach the one-year anniversary of the fire this month, it’s a good time to check in with the status of recovery… Read More

Los Angeles Fire Department Photo by Thomas Andersen

Fire Recovery Local News

SLV Homeowners Could Bear the Cost of State’s Proposed Rules for High Fire Risk Neighborhoods

July 16, 2021August 29, 2024 slvpost.comcommunity council1 Comment

By Jayme Ackemann According to the state’s proposed rules changes for high fire risk neighborhoods, some San Lorenzo Valley communities are “missing infrastructure.” This is a sophisticated way of saying the roads create hazards for emergency vehicles accessing our neighborhoods. If the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection passes their proposal it would require roads in high fire risk communities… Read More

Fire Recovery Local News

CZU Fire Quilts Spread Cheer

July 14, 2021July 24, 2021 slvpost.com0 comment

By Mary Andersen The Pajaro Valley Quilt Association (PVQA) gifted handmade quilts to local firefighters in gratitude for their service to the community during the CZU Lightning Complex fires. Barbara Lockwood from CZU Lightning Fire Quilts Facebook group said, “No material goods can adequately thank firefighters who risk their lives daily, but the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association elected to gift… Read More

Fire Recovery Local News Water

SLV Water and CZU Fire Recovery: An Update from the San Lorenzo Valley Water District

July 8, 2021July 16, 2021 slvpost.com1 Comment

July 8, 2021 By Julie Horner An interview with Rick Rogers, Director of Operations and Nate Gillespie, Water Treatment & System Supervisor at San Lorenzo Valley Water District On Wednesday, July 7, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District hosted a media tour of the Lyon Surface Water Treatment Plant and offered an update on progress since the CZU fire nearly… Read More

Supervisor Bruce McPherson July 2021 update

Columns Fire Recovery

Supervisor Bruce McPherson: Fire Recovery Update

July 6, 2021February 12, 2023 slvpost.com1 Comment

By Bruce McPherson, Fifth District County Supervisor I hope everyone in the Fifth District had a wonderful Fourth of July, and even though it is a busy time, I hope everyone is able to have some fun and relaxation this summer. We have an important virtual community meeting coming up on Monday, July 12 to provide updates on our rebuilding… Read More

Fallen Leaf Neighborhood Christopher Bradford

Fire Recovery Local News

Fire Victims Challenged by County’s Conflicting Temporary Housing Rules

July 3, 2021August 29, 2021 slvpost.com0 comment

San Lorenzo Valley’s Community Driven Development Team wrote the following letter to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. July 3, 2021 Dear Bruce McPherson and fellow Board of Supervisors members, In the current strategic plan for Santa Cruz County the county listed a variety of goals. Those goals included promoting a safe community and lowering barriers to housing solutions.… Read More