- AirNow.gov and its Fire and Smoke Map
- Monterey Bay Air Resources District air quality map and forecast
- PurpleAir
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration smoke map
- Santa Cruz County Road Closures
- Cruz511.org
- Cad.chp.ca.gov, on the “Communications Centers” drop-down menu, select “Monterey.”
Fire Recovery Guide: U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, has put out a 16-page guide for fire victim benefits and assistance.
Santa Cruz County Human Services benefits hotline:1-888-421-8080. Residents impacted by the fire who are enrolled in benefits programs may be eligible for replacement benefits.
Evacuees may be eligible for CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps.) Apply at calfresh.org or mybenefitscalwin.org. Apply by phone at 1-888-421-8080 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Information is at santacruzhumanservices.org.
Federal assistance for individuals and businesses: Santa Cruz County residents affected by the wildfire may be eligible for temporary and permanent housing, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and other help. Register at DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration for federal assistance is here in Spanish. Call 1-800-621-3362 for help or questions. Registration can also be done on the FEMA mobile app.
Santa Cruz County Human Services benefits hotline:1-888-421-8080. Residents impacted by the fire who are enrolled in benefits programs may be eligible for replacement benefits.
Evacuees may be eligible for CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps.) Apply at calfresh.org or mybenefitscalwin.org. Apply by phone at 1-888-421-8080 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Information is at santacruzhumanservices.org.
Federal assistance for individuals and businesses: Santa Cruz County residents affected by the wildfire may be eligible for temporary and permanent housing, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and other help. Register at DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration for federal assistance is here in Spanish. Call 1-800-621-3362 for help or questions. Registration can also be done on the FEMA mobile app.
- Note: The deadline to apply for $500 in emergency cash assistance has been extended to Sept. 12. U.S. citizenship is not required. Register at DisasterAssistance.gov. For help, speak to a federal representative 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 8 at the Paradox Hotel, 611 Ocean St. in Santa Cruz, or 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the Recovery Resource Center at Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St. in Santa Cruz.
Small Business Administration Loans: Federal disaster loans homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits. Register at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Disaster No.
CA-00325. Staff is available at [email protected] or
800-659-2955. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT daily.
Recovery Resource Center: A one-stop shop for help that ranges from federal benefits registration to grocery money. The event is open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena, 140 Front St., Santa Cruz.
- Information will include details on rebuilding, debris, utilities, insurance, social services and replacement documents.
- Free two-hour parking will be provided.
- Information at the in-person event also is online.
- Fire victims should read the California Department of Insurance’s Top 10 tips for wildfire claimants. Find your insurance policy, track expenses, document every conversation with your insurance company and have a licensed contractor estimate home rebuilding costs.
- The state department of insurance’s hotline at 800-927-4357 helps residents go through the insurance process. The department’s staff advocates for residents as they deal with insurance companies.
- Some insurance companies will not allow renewals. The state department of insurance offers an insurance finder tool and Top 10 tips for finding residential insurance. The list includes how to file a complaint, and how to apply for the California FAIR plan, an insurer of last resort.
- Listen to a Sept. 8 town hall with State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara or read the transcript here.
- Non-perishable Food donations may be brought to Second Harvest Food Bank.
HIGH-NEED ITEMS (NEW ONLY)
- Men’s clothing – pants, t-shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, hoodies, sweatshirts and sweat pants
- Women’s clothing – pants, t-shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, hoodies, sweatshirts and sweat pants
- Bath and hand towels
- Bed sheets/linens – queen-sized and smaller
- Sleeping pads
- Pillow cases
- Ice chests, coolers
- Drop-off sites: Santa Cruz County Warehouse, 1082 Emeline, Santa Cruz. Warehouse open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
- South County Donation Site, 114 Walker St., Watsonville. Site open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
- UC Santa Cruz has posted a “how to help” page with details on how to give in-kind donations such as clothing, linens and toiletries to students in need.
- Cal Fire staff have requested that people do not bring donations to their stations.
- The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is recruiting volunteers to staff local emergency shelters. Sign up here or call 831-427-5070. Those unable to help in a shelter but interested in supporting in other ways can sign up for the Fire Relief Volunteer Registry to get alerts about other opportunities.
- The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County has set up a fund where tax deductible donations go to nonprofit organizations “directly assisting individuals to meet needs as they arise.”
- Davenport Resource Service Center distributes food and provides health resources.
- Valley Churches United provides a food pantry and serves residents in San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and Bonny Doon.
- Mountain Community Resources provides food, health services and counseling in San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley.
- UC Santa Cruz – How to give help
- UC Santa Cruz: Fund for students, staff and faculty who lost homes to fire.
Santa Cruz Regional 911 text and email updates: Sign up for CodeRed.
Social media: Authorities announce evacuation orders, breaking news and other information at these Twitter accounts:
Social media: Authorities announce evacuation orders, breaking news and other information at these Twitter accounts:
- Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit (Cal Fire CZU)
- County of Santa Cruz
- California Highway Patrol Santa Cruz Area
Other Santa Cruz County wildfire resource pages
United Way CZU Fire Resources Guide
- Face masks
- Three-day supply of non-perishable food, three gallons of water per person, pet food and water for pet.
- Supplies: flashlight, first aid kit, medications, eyeglasses, battery-operated or crank radio, tools, clothing, sanitary supplies, cash in small denominations, contact information, a print map for alternate routes, chargers for cell phones, laptops, other devices.
- Documents: insurance policies, identification, pictures, irreplaceable memorabilia
- Cash, credit and ATM cards
- Medical equipment
- More items here
Search the American Red Cross directory and see if they have listed themselves as safe and well.
Click here to list yourself safe on the public directory.
Missing persons can be reported to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121.
Click here to list yourself safe on the public directory.
Missing persons can be reported to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121.
The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center has opened a temporary medical clinic for evacuees at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville. For emergencies, call 911.
Evacuees who need prescriptions filled: Chain pharmacies (such as Walgreens) can transfer prescriptions to other branches so medications can be picked up outside the evacuation zone.
Evacuees who need prescriptions filled: Chain pharmacies (such as Walgreens) can transfer prescriptions to other branches so medications can be picked up outside the evacuation zone.