First Hand Report on Fire Damage/Recovery Information
Yesterday, along with Supervisor McPherson, I toured some of the damaged areas in our districts. We were escorted by Cal Fire Chief Ian Larkin. We were joined by California Office of Emergency Services Director (Cal OES) Chief Mark Ghilarducci, FEMA Region IX Director Bob Fenton, and many others. There will be more detailed information in the coming days including a GIS map of homes damaged and destroyed, but I will tell you that what I saw was catastrophic, shocking, and immensely sad. It will be a long road to recovery, but I will be with you every step along the way. I want you to know that I spoke extensively with Cal OES Director Ghilarducci and he assured me he will be with us providing resources and support for the duration of the recovery.
Today, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo will be touring the Cal Fire Basecamp, meeting with local electeds including myself and Supervisor McPherson, and visiting shelters. My staff and I have been in communication with the Congresswoman and her staff daily. Congresswoman Eshoo has already provided essential information on getting started on disaster relief support. In addition, you can begin registering for FEMA disaster relief now here. You can also call 1-800-621-3362, and there is also a FEMA app you can download. In the coming days, we will work with Congresswoman Eshoo’s office and Cal OES staff, who will be stationed in Santa Cruz County, to provide more specific support and information.
Fire Update
As reported in this morning’s Cal Fire Press briefing, the fire is now at 78,869 acres. It is 17% contained. There are still approximately 25k structures threatened. 330 homes have been destroyed, 319 of those are in Santa Cruz County. There are now 1,611 firefighters working the fire. Yesterday, significant progress was made to contain the fire. Helicopters dropped over 200,000 gallons of water on the fire and at today’s briefing, Cal Fire Command challenged their team to meet or exceed that goal, providing that the weather cooperates. The Highway 9 corridor continues to be an active area with challenging terrain and access. However, Cal Fire is actively working on suppression and constructing breaks in that area.
In Bonny Doon, firefighters are working point protection (putting out hot spots), engaging in structure protection, and constructing perimeter lines. For the people still in Bonny Doon, (who made that personal choice to not evacuate), we have heard they are struggling, having trouble keeping their generators going, and cannot feed themselves or their animals. Cal Fire is looking to provide fuel and other support for those individuals so they can survive. Cal Fire is also working with County Animal Services to provide feed for stranded animals. If you have a stranded animal, please email Todd Stosuy, at Todd.stosuy@santacruzcounty.us, with your name, address, phone number, and number of animals, species of animals, and location animals that are kept on the property and they will do their best to get feed and water to those animals.
In Davenport, I am told the lines are holding and firefighters are confident that they can protect the town. The BLM and Cal Fire firefighters remain on the scene.
At today’s emergency Board of Supervisors meeting where we ratified the Emergency Declaration, Cal Fire stressed that the evacuated areas were evacuated for a reason and it is still too dangerous for people to go up to the area. There are downed power lines and damaged trees coming down frequently. A Sheriff’s Deputy had a tree limb come down on top of a patrol car and Chief Larkin had a near miss with a downed tree as well. I am told there is no estimate when people will be able to get back to their homes. It may be weeks, or longer for some areas depending on the damage and situation. I know residents desperately want to get back to their homes. Cal Fire makes those decisions based on safety and a number of other factors, and at this time, it still isn’t safe.
Many of you heard the sad news yesterday that there was a body found on Last Chance Road. The fatality has been identified as Tad Jones, 73. Tad was well known to the residents of Last Chance. People who knew him tell me he was a kind soul, a Buddhist and self proclaimed monk who took a vow of silence, smiling often as he would write notes to communicate with his neighbors. My heart and condolences go out to his family and friends.
Shelter and Other News
There is still room at county shelters, and staff does not check immigration status. Staff does employ strict social distancing protocols, sanitation, and temperature checks. See the list of shelters, and all County press releases with information on the fire, here. The District Attorney has issued a press release with information about fraud related to the disasters. Please be vigilant as there are always people who take advantage of those that are experiencing a crisis.
PG&E
I heard from PG&E this morning on the status of their assessments and re-energizing. They have had well over 400 poles damaged. They are assessing areas that have been damaged, in coordination with Cal Fire. They are also assessing trees and conducting vegetation management. I am told they hope to re-energize Davenport later today.
