Not your typical Labor Day Weekend in Santa Cruz
With COVID-19 and the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, this will not be a typical holiday weekend in Santa Cruz county. In fact, much of Northern Santa Cruz county is still on fire and air quality remains a large concern. Although the fire is over 40% contained, there are still over 6,000 structures threatened. Over 13,000 Santa Cruz county residents are still under evacuation orders and many local hotels and visitor accommodations are still housing evacuees.
With that said, this is not a good time to visit Santa Cruz. Officials have asked people to stay clear of Santa Cruz county and proprietors are being requested to prioritize local evacuees over visitors.
Trail and beach closures will be in effect. This is both to help the spread of COVID-19 and also to avoid traffic build for CZU Lightning Complex Fire responders.
State Park closures include:
- Año Nuevo State Park
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park, including the Rancho Del Oso Unit and Waddell Creek State Beach (scroll down for more information about Big Basin)
- Butano State Park
- Castle Rock State Park
- Coast Dairies State Park
- Gazos Creek State Beach
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, including the Fall Creek Unit
- Portola Redwoods State Park
- Wilder Ranch State Park is closed on the inland side
Beaches:
County beaches will also be closed beginning Saturday, Sept. 5th at 5 a.m. through Monday, Sept. 7th at 5 p.m. Beach crossings permissible to access the ocean for the purposes of activities such as surfing, paddle-boarding, boogie-boarding, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.
Beginning September 5 through September 7, all Santa Cruz beaches will be closed during the hours of 5 AM to 4 PM. Beach crossings and other water activities such as surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling are allowed during these hours.
During these dates beaches will reopen to the public from 4 PM to 8 PM. Local jurisdictions have enforced similar beach restrictions and many state beaches will also be closed.
Trails:
For a list of trail closures go to: mbosc.org/trails-in-santa-cruz/.
A fire break runs from HWY 1 to Empire Grade and down through UCSC campus to HWY 9. Photo: Matt Niswonger
OTHER RESOURCES AND UPDATES:
For more information regarding the complex fires click here.
Air quality information: Go to airnow.gov
Shelter Information: Go to http://www.santacruzcounty.us/FireResources/FireShelters.aspx
Santa Cruz County Lightning Fire Response 2020: Find Out How to Give Help or Get Help. Go to https://scvolunteercenter.org/events-2/lightning-fire-2020/
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has established a community fire relief fund. Go to www.cfscc.org
Let’s work together to keep Santa Cruz County healthy and protected.
