Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond & Felton: Hwy 9 Santa Cruz Mountain Fires
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
August 24, 2020
Dear Familia -
Here is a compilation of updates on the Highway 9 fires, as shared on social media by people on the ground. I have tried my best to find the original source for each post. Each photo includes links to the original social media post. Use these links to learn more about each photo or video and to join in the discussion.
Like you, I am extremely worried about the people here. Check back, I am adding photos constantly.
In Solidarity,
Fries
That’s the ridgeline you see burning in this insane photograph (left side is above Felton, following North to Boulder Creek and beyond) - Posted 12:53 AM · Aug 21, 2020 by Rob Wormald
Santa Cruz Mountain Fires
(Why is it Called CZU?)
A message from Mayor Justin Cummings: Be ready. Resources and information to prepare for potential evacuation. https://loom.ly/iSfCWK4
(Photo credit: Cal Fire) Posted 7:07 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by City of Santa Cruz
The world’s most awkward hashtag: CZU August Lighting Complex. CZU is the “Coastal Zone Unit” of the Santa Cruz/San Mateo Cal Fire division. August Lighting is, well, straightforward, and complex refers to the fact this is a megafire that started off as a ton of little lightning blasts.
There are also two other major complex acronym fires nearby: LNU (Napa) and SCU (San Jose).
“JUMPING HWY 9”
One of the biggest concerns of this fire is the possibility of crossing HWY 9 and overtaking communities in the San Lorenzo Valley.
Scott’s Valley, Zayante, Lompico and Paradise Park were among the communities at risk. Cal Fire previously indicated that any fire activity to the east of HWY 9 is likely to spread all the way to HWY 17, as containment options are few.
9pm THU Aug 27: This thankfully has not come to pass.
Map for reference.
JUMPING HIGHWAY 9: Friday, August 21, 2020
Rob Wormald used NASA satellite data and Google Earth to help illustrate the risk of fire moving downslope towards the San Lorenzo valley.
Rob Wormald explains in a thread posted 12:47 AM Aug 21, 2020: “What's hard to get is the topography, and what makes this thing so scary. Looking up the valley from Santa Cruz towards Big Basin, you can see the fire has largely been on the western coastal side, slowly climbing up the ridges towards Highway 9
Rob Wormald explains in a thread posted 12:47 AM Aug 21, 2020: “This gives you an idea of the layout of the valley. Empire Grade is the ridgeline to the west (left) that the fire is sitting on top of. Everything to the East, in the middle of the pic, is San Lorenzo Valley. If the fire crests the river and starts to climb *up* those canyons, oh fuck. It would be unstoppable and burn right to Skyline. Many of those canyons don't have roads that head north - south is the only way out, other than fire roads.”
JUMPING HIGHWAY 9: Saturday August 22, 2020
Reports Nick Ibarra, “Fires reported further east toward Highway 9 last night in area of Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, Felton— in at least a couple of instances across the highway. Cal Fire said Felton had a 5 acre spot fire but was still in “good shape.”
It’s reached HWY 9 around Brookdale. @BoulderCreekFD is all over it putting it out so it doesn’t cross road. They just felled a tree to prevent it from falling on road. 1/3 Posted 6:04 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
2/3 Posted 6:04 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
33 Posted 6:04 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
“CalFire admits in presser this morning that they have NO resources to fight this. Like, NONE. Guess why? Bc the prison populations, who have for decades been California’s primary firefighter hand-crews on wildfires, are too sick with Covid to go.”
Posted 8:17 AM · Aug 19, 2020
VIEW FROM BEAR CREEK ROAD
Wednesday August 19, 2020
Some of the first disturbing images posted to social media were from Bear Creek Road.
Evacuating at 2am and pulled into the Bear Creek turnout. Look back at it. 1:25 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - @rach_owl
![I took these shots of the Boulder Creek fire, seen around 1am last night from the Bear Creek road overlook. 2:24 PM · Aug 19, 2020 -Ian Authur[header image, theme does not allow attribution. Thank you Ian.]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b31850af407b4778a412dbb/1597876057318-I3OI1D4Q4MA1ESMM5QFR/Ef0DSCQUEAAHlR0.jpg)
I took these shots of the Boulder Creek fire, seen around 1am last night from the Bear Creek road overlook. 2:24 PM · Aug 19, 2020 -Ian Authur
[header image, theme does not allow attribution. Thank you Ian.]
(image 2/2) - Ian Authur
“Ben Lomond”
BEN LOMOND
Wednesday August 19, 2020 and Thursday 20, 2020
Deeply ominous glow from Ben Lomond around midnight. 12:35 AM · Aug 19, 2020 - Miles Hookey
#santacruzmountainsfire #roadsclosed #evacuation #SantaCruzMountains Posted 9:17 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by erm, steve bannon’s cool mill
BEN LOMOND
Friday August 21, 2020
EXCERPT: “Just got back from evacuated areas of the San Lorenzo Valley and Bonny Doon. As I report what I saw, and share some photos and video, remember this is purely what I could observe from a very limited vantage. I can’t responsibly speculate beyond that.
Downtown areas of Felton, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek along Highway 9 still looking completely unscathed as of a few hours ago.
Alba Road, which connects Ben Lomond to Bonny Doon, was hit hard starting maybe a mile up the road. Lots of areas still smoldering but little flame.
The Alba Schoolhouse was completely destroyed.”
- Nick Ibarra , 3pm August 21, 2020 (good Twitter thread with loads of images).
“Ben Lomond Fire Chief Stacie Brownlee said she requested help from Cal Fire & was told it had nothing to offer... In the 10 years she’s been chief & 36 years she’s served, she’s never seen the state unable to help. ”
Los Angeles Times Covers Ben Lomond Fires
AUG. 22, 2020 | 5 AM
Here's firefighter Todd Ellis. He's a volunteer firefighter with Ben Lomond. He'll receive $12 at the end of this "incident." That's what the volunteers get paid as they risk their lives to fill the void CalFire has created in their communities. Posted 10:49 AM · Aug 22, 2020 by Susanne Rust
Excerpt by Susanne Rust: “The lack of equipment and outside fire crews was evident Friday as a smoky evening fell in Ben Lomond, a heavily forested town in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The fire there has destroyed scores of homes and structures and is burning up steep hills that crest near the campus of UC Santa Cruz, normally an education hub of 18,000 students. Ben Lomond Fire Chief Stacie Brownlee said she requested help from Cal Fire and was told it had nothing to offer. The rejection startled her. In the 10 years she’s been chief and 36 years she’s served, she said she’s never seen the state unable to help.
She said she is running out of basic equipment, including hoses, radios and hand tools, and feels as though they’ve been abandoned. “We’re sleeping just two to five hours,” she said. “We’re just trying to get a handle on this.”
Matt Sanders, a volunteer firefighter for Ben Lomond, said he and his colleagues have barely slept since Monday. Their force, which is 27 strong, is being supplemented by retirees, many fighting to save their own homes. Todd Ellis, a Menlo Park Fire District training captain who lives in town and is captain of the volunteer force, on Friday persuaded his chief to send a engine, which arrived in time to fight a blaze at a retreat center amid redwoods. Billy See, one of the Cal Fire incident commanders, said personnel on this fire increased by almost 100 from the previous night, up to about 1,000, but it’s “still not enough.”
Quote posted on Rust’s Twitter; full story on LATIMES.com.
BEN LOMOND
Saturday August 22, 2020
Sometimes tweets have a life of their own. This one hung heavy.
Here’s Susanne Rust’s report of the sobering threat hanging over the San Lorenzo Valley on Saturday night:
“Last night, the Ben Lomond firefighters were told by CalFire that #CZULightningComplexFire was likely to move into downtown Boulder Creek in the next 48 to 72 hours. If they couldn't stop it there, the state agency would have no choice but to let the fire burn to Rte 17.”
She continued,
“I was standing outside the meeting when it occurred. And was told by at least 5 firefighters immediately after. A few were in tears. As of early this afternoon, the fire had not gotten to Boulder Creek. And hopefully never will.”
BEN LOMOND
Saturday August 22, 2020
Thank you everyone for the continued donations and support while we fight to save our town and all of the San Lorenzo Valley. You all give us the strength to continue this fight. - Posted 5pm August 22, 2020 by Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Department.
Photos of downtown Boulder Creek and Ben Lomand at 5:30 am Saturday. @bouldercreekfire Posted 5:55 AM · Aug 22, 2020 by Kara Capaldo.
Kara is posting a lot of great images on Twitter; follow her for more updates.
Magical human José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen arrives in Ben Lomond. “Scenes from the front lines today. Our WCK teams have delivered thousands of fresh meals to firefighters, affected residents & others responding to California’s biggest fire crisis in history. We are grateful for everyone keeping their neighbors safe — and proud to do our part.” - 1/2 Posted 8:24 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by World Central Kitchen
Volunteers dropped off braised beef and mashed potatoes for firefighters, using the prep kitchens at Mutari Chocolate on Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz. 2/2 Posted 8:24 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by World Central Kitchen
BEN LOMOND
Sunday August 23, 2020
NPR Reporter Hannah Hagemann reports via Twitter, “Mood is tense and resources are clearly strained. CalFire PIO told me today Ben Lomond area along highway 9 is kicking up. From Boulder Creek down to Ben Lomond fire hung up on ridge. Flames and fire activity in boulder Creek happening today he said.” Posted 11:02 AM · Aug 23, 2020.
CalFire officials said fire crews have held back fire from “probably the top quarter” of Alba Road for days to keep it from entering Ben Lomond’s center.
“They have been working tirelessly, yesterday and through the night to protect that community,” Mark Brunton said of Ben Lomond on Sunday morning, as reported by Stephen Baxter of news startup Santa Cruz Local.
Currently two choppers dropping buckets west of #Brookdale and #BenLomond on the #CZULightningComplex. Thanks @CALFIRECZU 1/2 Posted 1:35 PM · Aug 23, 2020 by BIGJuevos
2/2 Posted 1:35 PM · Aug 23, 2020 by BIGJuevos
Janet Bastovan shares this webcam image from 5.5 miles down Zayante. 2:42 Sunday August 23, 2020. Via Facebook.
Some of our officers are assisting in areas affected by the CZU Lightning Complex Fires today. Officer Newman is assigned to maintain security in the community of Ben Lomond. Our prayers are with all those affected by these fires. We hope you return to your homes soon! Posted 2:00 PM · Aug 23, 2020 by San Jose University Police Department.
“Boulder Creek”
BOULDER CREEK
Wednesday August 19, 2020
Jamison Creek Rd #CZUAugustLightningComplex #CZULightningComplex - FirePhotoGirl
Flight path of the water planes: N605PG (callsign N605PG) is circling over Santa Cruz County at 1725 feet, speed 100 MPH, squawking 1255, 0.50 miles from Boulder Creek - @SkyCirclesSF
This is what it looked like last night in Boulder Creek. 11:29 AM · Aug 19, 2020 - Marianne Favro
A Cal Fire firefighter checks on the advance of the fire along China Grade Road as a blaze in the CZU August Lightning Complex burns fiercely north of Boulder Creek Tuesday night. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Ya’ll that cloud …
Posted August 19, 2020 by SLVSteve on Instagram
BOULDER CREEK
Thursday 20, 2020
Watch the camera pan from the fires in the mountains to the town center below.
Watch the redwoods burn in Boulder Creek.
BOULDER CREEK
Thursday August 20, 2020
Fire crews from LA arriving in Boulder Creek! Posted August 20 2020 by r/MasNegro.
r/JesReson reports: “My dad took this photo at 445pm. They came in from bear creek side and are holding the line on the western edge of route 9. The fire came down Jameson creek and China Grade, then up on the ridge above the golf course to the north of BC. Another band of fire is working its way down towards Brookdale and Ben Lomond from the top of Ben Lomond Mountain. Basically the whole valley is one bad cross breeze away from getting torched by what's raging up on empire grade.”
Firefighters are working hard in Boulder Creek tonight. They are saving what they can. It's heartbreaking to watch. 1/4 Posted 11:47 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
2/4 Posted 11:47 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
3/4 Posted 11:47 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
4/4 Posted 11:47 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
Firefighters work to defend a home on Madrone Avenue from the #CZULightningComplex wildfire near #BoulderCreek #California on Aug., 21, 2020. for @sfchronicle.
Photographer Nic Coury posted this on Instagram, where this conversation took place. Douglas Hooper, photographer: “Thanks for this photo! This is my brother's house. Do you know if they saved it?”
Nic: “yeah, unfortunately those homes didn’t make it…”
Douglas: “Oh, I just [read] your answer to the comment above. Doesn't sound good.”
Boulder Creek tonight. I hope they can save as many homes as possible. All the firefighters are working so hard to do what they can. 1/3 Posted 11:51 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
2/3 Posted 11:51 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Kara Capaldo
These are the conditions fire fighters face when trying to fight the #CZULightningFire and it's why the sheriff's office asks that people evacuate when the order comes down. Any later and the roads could become impassable. (Credit: Rosie Gutierrez, KSBW Photographer. Posted on Instagram by KSBW)
He needs to go viral. I don’t have the followers, so please help. The fires in Santa Cruz, CA are horrible. This is Tyrone Clark, in his kilt, saving the only gas station in Boulder Creek. On FB he’s tyrone.clark5055. - Posted 9:16 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by JPICARDI.
My friend Ty just said "It's 1:15 am. I'm taking a nap, at the gas station. Firemen and their trucks are working, and setting out to hit spots. Town is beautiful. No visible fire from the gas station" - Posted 1:27 AM · Aug 22, 2020 by ShiftInThinking
Note: I have seen this in many locations and will updated to original source if I find it. Others on social media have speculated that this is a welding apron, not a kilt.
BOULDER CREEK
Friday August 21, 2020
Boulder Creek as of 11:30am - Posted August 21, 2020 by r/Caddish
Downtown Boulder Creek. Everyone is ready to defend the town. Posted 5:46 PM · Aug 21, 2020by Kara Capaldo
Crews saving homes and businesses at #CZUAugustLightingComplex in Boulder Creek Friday night. Photos by my esteemed @AP colleague @MarcioSanchez06 - 1/3 Posted 10:49 AM · Aug 22, 2020 by Martha Mendoza. Martha is posting a lot of great stuff on Twitter; follow her.
@AP photo by @MarcioSanchez06 - 2/3 Posted 10:49 AM · Aug 22, 2020 by Martha Mendoza
@AP photo by @MarcioSanchez06 - 2/3 Posted 10:49 AM · Aug 22, 2020 by Martha Mendoza
Lionel Hernandez posts on Instagram August 21, 2020: “This doesnt even seem real... me and my brother went up to his house to grab what we could. We stopped at my parents house and this is what we saw. If you would like to help my parents out during this tough time. Theres a link in my bio. Every penny is greatly appreciated and will directly help them. They lost everything and it’s been incredibly tough.”
If you can help, here’s the GoFundMe for Johanna, Jim and Monique McComas.
(House number on the gate is 11815 for those trying to see where this is in relation to other homes.)
If you look closely, you’ll spot the orange arm of firefighter jackets, protecting firefighters from fire as they nap on the asphalt. Wild image. Shared August 22, 2020 by Joshua Henry
Posted August 21, 2020 on Instagram by Zoccocks
Photographer Nic Coury posted this shot on Instagram. He explains, “Firefighters work to defend a home on Madrone Avenue from the #CZULightningComplex wildfire near #BoulderCreek #California on Aug, 21, 2020. for @sfchronicle. This is off Virginia Avenue near Ridge Way. In my other photo, a handful of homeowners recognized the house...”
A home along Highway 236 near #BoulderCreek #California smolders after being destroyed in the #CZULightningComplex #wildfire on Aug. 20, 2020. for @sfchronicle. This is near the intersection of Highway 236 and Jamison Creek Road. Posted by photographer Nic Coury on Instagram.
BOULDER CREEK
Saturday August 22, 2020
Boulder Creek this morning. Posted 12:28 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Lulu Catt.
Mission for today in the San Lorenzo Valley was safety first, keep fire from highway 9, and protect structures. Crew of about 1,000 firefighters are in the valley, w/ ~1/2 protecting upslope above 9 @ Felton / Ben Lomond. Note: Source crew info from calfire, this is gossip. - Posted 5:01 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Dustin Mulvaney
In Boulder Creek shrouded in acrid smoke, where #CZULightningComplex is 300-400 feet off Highway, said Sam Robustelli, Boulder Creek Volunteer fire district commissioner, and crews are trying to keep it from crossing. Posted 3:11 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Mallory Moench.
She continues, “Boulder Creek fire commissioner said fire activity kicked up from 3 pm yesterday till 3 am today. Fallen Leaf neighborhood off Highway 236 is all gone, some homes in Jameson creek, Riverside Grove, and boulder creek country club, although not clubhouse itself. The main goal is to protect downtown Boulder Creek and keep the fire from crossing highway 9 and picking up speed toward highway 17. To the commissioner’s knowledge, it hasn’t crossed farther north yet, where CalFire strike teams are poised.
The town has 38 volunteers and getting help from firefighters as far as Palo Alto. They’ve been pulling 12-16 hour shifts. Firefighter David Dahl said: “You’re [just] not physically exhausted, you’re mentally exhausted, you’re worried about your friends and family.” Boulder creek Fire commissioner who has lived in the town his whole life, watched another fire that burned to the ocean in the same area in 1947. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said, pointing to the cloud looking over the mountain west of town.
Denise Bukowski contributes this update to the Facebook Crisis Response page late Saturday August 22, 2020: “Update: many homes gone in our area. Our neighborhood of 40 homes has 1 that was destroyed and 1 other damaged, however the other neighbors and streets within a 5 mile radius of us have many more that did not make it. We are at the whim of the wind, Fire still at 0-2% containment, although, there are courageous and diligent firefighters from many other areas now on this. Maybe more will come to help...my daughter sent me the front page of the Wall Street Journal.”
Photo 1: A firefighter douses a CAL OES fire engine with water to prevent it from being damaged by the extreme heat of a burning home on Virginia Avenue in Boulder Creek, Friday night. From Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film’s powerful Instagram images posted August 22, 2020.
Photo 3: Firefighters converse near their fire engine on Madrone Avenue in Boulder Creek, Friday night. From Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film’s powerful Instagram images posted August 22, 2020.
Photo 6: Boulder Creek resident Will Cook takes water from a creek to be used for extinguishing spot fires in Boulder Creek, Friday. From Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film’s powerful Instagram images posted August 22, 2020.
4: Firefighters monitor conditions of an approaching wildfire as it approaches a home on West Hilton Drive in Boulder Creek, Thursday night. Another impactful series posted on Instagram August 22, 2020 by Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film.
5: A home is fully engulfed in flames on Acorn Drive in Boulder Creek after being affected by wildfire Thursday night. Another impactful series posted on Instagram August 22, 2020 by Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film.
“I can’t believe the year this has been. My mom unfortunately lost her job in May due to COVID, and last night she lost her home. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and everyone who has donated. We are surrounded my incredible loving humans.” - Posted by Felicia Estrada
If you can help, here is the GoFundMe for Donna Michaels.
Scott Lipperd, a retired firefighter, helped Boulder Creek firefighters beat back a fire burning from Thursday to Friday around the perimeter of his property on 14210 West Park. He’s lived in the house for 30 years and the valley for 50, but never saw anything like this. - Posted 5:14 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Mallory Moench
Powerful image out of Boulder Creek from Marietta Madden. She says her home is gone. “A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.”-St. Francis of Assisi. Posted 12:29 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by Mary Coleman
Photo 2: A home is fully engulfed in flames on Virginia Avenue in Boulder Creek, Friday night. From Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film’s powerful Instagram images posted August 22, 2020.
Photo 4: Boulder Creek resident Brian Garrahan takes a drink of water after constructing a fire break in an attempt to slow a wildfire moving towards structures in Boulder Creek, Friday night. From Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film’s powerful Instagram images posted August 22, 2020.
1: A CAL FIRE firefighter wets down a house in an attempt to protect it from a nearing wildfire on West Hilton Drive in Boulder Creek, Thursday night. Another impactful series posted on Instagram August 22, 2020 by Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film.
2: An outbuilding affected by wildfire burns near a house on Acorn Drive in Boulder Creek, Thursday night. Another impactful series posted on Instagram August 22, 2020 by Jaden Schaul of Santa Cruz Film.
This is what a Wildlife does #wildefire #santacruz #bouldercreek - Posted August 22, 2020 by Henry Vega
Aida Dalati Atelier, Fashion Designer, posts August 22, 2020 on Instagram: “Taking a step back and standing very still. This is my neighborhood which we have been monitoring for days. Twitter, Facebook, local news, NextDoor, and satellite heat movements. Serious business for sure.”
@calfireczu protecting a home on the 800 block of Acorn off CA-236. #czulightningcomplex #czulightningcomplexfire Posted August 22, 2020 by NorCalStringer
Heidi posts on Instagram on August 22, 2020: “This was my parents’ home in Boulder Creek where they lived for about 20 years. It overlooked the 6th tee of the golf course, with gorgeous views of the redwood-covered Santa Cruz mountains. Fortunately for my parents, they moved out of that house several years ago when a 2-story was no longer right for them. My heart aches for the people whose home it is now and for everyone in the beautiful little mountain community of Boulder Creek who have lost everything. Our state is on fire...prayers and more prayers please.”
“I want to scream from the top of my lungs but my throat is so sore, heart feels like it’s covered in cement & the air is so smoky my tears have run dry. WE LOVE YOU BOULDER CREEK!!!!!!! ♥️ we love you to our core, deep down to our roots we were called to you for a reason, we are going get through this. We will help bring you back every step of the way.” - Mia Miller #bouldercreekstrong #myhappyplace #czuwildfire #mountainfolk
Posted August 22, 2020 on Instagram by Mia Miller.
BOULDER CREEK
Sunday, August 23, 2020
KRON 4 reports:
A glimmer of hope emerged at sunrise Sunday. Boulder Creek Community Church on Highway 9 was on the edge of total destruction Saturday night. The wildfire was approaching the beloved church’s doorstep when fast-acting firefighters ignited a back burn. The back burn created a fire block, and saved the church. “We are so grateful for their hard work and great sacrifice. We continue to pray for them to persevere through the long days and we pray for God’s loving protection as they fight to protect our homes and businesses,” the church’s pastor, Adam Miller, said.
San Lorenzo Valley Water District Confirms $5M in Structural Losses but confirms they have enough water pressure to continue firefighting in the Hwy 9 corridor.
via SLVWD: “On August 21, 2020, at approximately 02:20 am Boulder Creek Fire Protection Chief contacted the District’s Director of Operations and informed the District that fire had reached the Lyon Water Treatment Plant, the Big Steel Booster, and Lyon, Little Lyon, and Big Steel Tanks.
Upon arrival observations were made including, vegetation still burning, a large volume of water flooding the area causing eroded asphalt in the roadway, and a small mudslide. In addition, the above-ground HDPE pipelines were still burning.
All HDPE pipelines between the Lyon and Big Steel tanks were destroyed, allowing all three tanks to drain loosing approximately 4 million gallons of water. “
h/t to r/urthrum
“5 miles of pipe melted away by the CZU fire It is the main source of water for #SanLorenzoValley. The water district lost 4.5 million gallons. 1/2 Posted 12:58 PM · Aug 23, 2020 by KSBW Phil
The district refocused it’s water flow so firefighters could continue battling the #CZU #LightningComplexFire 1/2 Posted 12:58 PM · Aug 23, 2020 by KSBW Phil
Another home saved by @CALFIRECZU with backfires and fire lines. This home is next to the Boulder Creek Community church. #CZULightningComplex #CZULightningComplexFire pic.twitter.com/b4S0ee0cQ2
— NorCalStringer (@NorCal_Stringer) August 24, 2020
315 Alder Road, Boulder Creek according to my GPS. The rest of the neighborhood seems to be spared. Minor damage to some decks. #CZULightningComplex #CZULightningComplexFire pic.twitter.com/WTABSsTzmj
— NorCalStringer (@NorCal_Stringer) August 24, 2020
BOULDER CREEK
Monday, August 24, 2020
Tyrone Clark of Boulder Creek, now semi viral for his controversial kilt-wearing photo atop the gas station, has been posting regular updates to Facebook. Today he comments:
Monday morning, 8:00, August 24. Boulder Creek fire. Town is looking great, there is a sense of cautious optimism from our firecrews. Fight’s not over, but looking better.
Just got word that law enforcement is going to target " non authorized" firefighters. They are dramatically understaffed, spread thin, and good, solid working people are working to help save our community. Fact: the owner of the gas station left to get a diesel additive that the CAL FIRE trucks need, to run. He was refused entry, at both check points. We now only have 2 people to run the gas station that CAL FIRE asked us to reopen, to provide them with fuel for the huge trucks. Jim Crouch, a local CHP dropped what he was working on, to drive to Scott's Valley, to bring these CRITICAL SUPPLIES to Boulder Creek. Outstanding version of supporting, rather than hindering.
Boulder Creek fire personnel were denied access, because they didn't have the right pass.
There is a communication problem, please help fix it.
4:00, Monday, August 24. Boulder Creek is still looking good. No imminent threats. A flare-up happened an hour or so ago, fire crews jumped on it, WIN! The fight goes on.
10:30pm Monday, August 24: Another informational update. I rode the quad up big Basin. I am pretty certain that there are no house losses, within 100 feet of big Basin, all the way past the fourth Acorn
Posted by Alex Palomar Thursday August 27, 2020
In turn, Cal Fire has been posting regular reminders to their social media accounts, asking that people refrain from entering the evacuated areas.
DEADLY HAZARDS: This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to heed the evacuation orders and wait until damage inspectors can do their jobs. This is a burned wooden bridge on Swanton Rd. at Mill Creek. NEVER drive over a bridge after a wildfire unless it has been cleared by professionals. - Posted 6:38 AM · Aug 24, 2020 by Cal Fire CZU
Screencap of Mill Creek and Swanton Road region.
#BoulderBoys #BoulderCreek Remarkable group of guys. Posted 7:50 PM · Aug 24, 2020 by ShiftInThinking
These are always heartbreaking shots. Boulder Creek cemetery yesterday evening. Posted 12:48 PM · Aug 24, 2020by Ethan Baron. The school is reportedly safe - see August 23th posts above.
FELTON
Current as of 1pm August 24, 2020
In a spot of good news: Cal Fire states, “The community of Felton is sitting very well, the fire hasn’t made any progressions,“ as reported by Stephen Baxter of news startup Santa Cruz Local on Sunday August 23, 2020.
In Felton, only one spot fire has popped up since the #CZUFire began early Sunday, Fire District Spokeman Ian Jones said. “At the moment we’re not too worried about this coming and affecting any of our structures,” Jones said Friday @mercnews #CZULightingComplex Posted 4:25 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by Maggie Angst
Felton Grade Road
August 26, 2020
“Very tragic situation on top of everything. Like an ice cream sunday of grief.”
Posted to Twitter 4:01 PM · Aug 22, 2020 by R. Bryne Reilly
BIG BASIN
Big Basin State Park has been significantly damaged, confirms the Parks Department: “[Big Basin suffered] extensive damage from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires in Santa Cruz County and is closed until further notice. The fire damaged the park’s headquarters, historic core and campgrounds.“ The Mercury News reports, “The status of the ancient redwoods in the park, some of which tower more than 300 feet tall and date back nearly 2,000 years, was unclear early Thursday morning. Redwood trees’ bark is heavily fire-resistant, but in intense fire storms the trees can be damaged. Big Basin is home to the largest continuous stand of old-growth redwoods south of San Francisco.”
Below is footage shot by a CZU firefighter on Tuesday August 18, 2020 at 11:39pm on Highway 236 just past headquarters in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Boulder Creek firefighters work to control the spray CZU August Lightning Complex from crossing Big Basin Way on Wednesday. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Near Little Basin Campground in Big Basin State Park 7:25 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - Ethan Baron
The remains of a structure along Big Basin Way that was destroyed by the CZU August Lightning Complex. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Winds shifted last night pushing the fire south. So far our property & Boulder Creek have been spared, but other areas have not been so fortunate. Thank you all the firefighters keeping us safe! 1:10 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - Big Basin Vineyards PC: Shmuel Thaler, Santa Cruz Sentinel
Vast majority of giant redwoods in center of Big Basin Redwoods State Park scorched but still standing. Posted 7:46 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Ethan Baron
As Byron T Russell explains, “The cones just opened up like: POP goes the weasel! This is damn good news for the redwoods and sequoias ... provided that it's a wet-enough winter. Pray for a wet-enough winter for them. Next year it will be humming with youngsters. They cannot reproduce without fire.”
THANK YOU to all of the photographers, journalists and people on social media for posting updates on our community!
I tried to get attribution for all images but if i missed yours please let me know! Please consider FOLLOWING the many journalists and photographers who are doing the hard work of documenting this. this is a volunteer noncommercial effort, so thanks for being kind if something needs fixing.
If you want to help from afar, check out the hashtags! There are a ton of people asking Googleable questions, unable to load fancy websites on their cruddy mobile connex. I have more 2020 Fire info for you below:
