CA-CZU Ice Cream Grade – Empire Grade Fuel Reduction

CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit

Ice Cream Grade – Empire Grade Fuel Reduction

FELTON – The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit, in cooperation with the City of Santa Cruz Water Department and several private property owners is nearing completion of the first phase of hazardous fuel reduction along Ice Cream Grade and Empire Grade Roads in the Bonny Doon area of northern Santa Cruz County.

Thick accumulations of brush and small diameter trees weakened after 5 years of extreme drought, were removed to lessen fire intensity and rate of spread in the event of a wildfire. This work was conducted on a mix of City Watershed lands and privately owned parcels and will improve emergency ingress/egress, help to protect homes in the area and improve our ability to defend the Laguna Creek watershed from a high intensity wildfire.

The Laguna Creek watershed is an important source of water for the City of Santa Cruz.
The project is being implemented under CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program and was funded, in part, by the State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fee. Additional work is planned to occur along each of the roadways as funding and crew availability allows.

The project is located near the 2008 Martin Fire which serves as a reminder of the damaging wildfires our area is prone to each fire season. CAL FIRE urges residents to take precautions now to make their homes more defendable by removing excessive underbrush and thinning trees before the onset of fire season.

The work completed along Ice Cream Grade and Empire Grade Roads is similar to what residents should strive for on their own property, especially near homes and along access routes such as driveways. 

For more information about how you can protect your home and property from wildfire,
visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/ and download the new Ready For Wildfire App.

More Information Contact: Andrew Hubbs 831-335-6794
RELEASE DATE: April 21, 2017 

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Cal Fire is on the scene of a grass fire burning 1,500 to 2,000 acres at Highway 33 and Lost Hills Road in Coalinga that is threatening about 40 structures, Fresno County fire spokesman Jeremiah Wittwer said.

The first report came in around 3:42 p.m. stating 4 to 5 acres were on fire, said Capt. Tim Gehret. The Jayne fire has since grown due to 15 to 20 mph winds, he said.

Several fire teams have been called to the area, including three air tankers.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article145878334.html#storylink=cpy

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CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE: San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Soquel Demonstration State Forest Remains Closed

CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

San Mateo-Santa Cruz UnitSoquel Demonstration State Forest Remains Closed

Soquel – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF) was officially closed to all public use, including hiking and cycling on January 11, 2017 to protect the public safety.  With the latest storm, the rainfall for the season measured at SDSF is 88.5 inches, the highest in recorded history. 

SDSF infrastructure has suffered major damage due to multiple landslides and road failures.  This damage makes effective emergency response impossible. When SDSF is open for public use, the emergency response for major rescues averages about one per month with an additional one or two responses for less major rescues. With the current lack of access, it would be impossible to perform any rescue at SDSF and therefore must remain closed until access is restored.  Entering SDSF during the closure is a misdemeanor under the authority of Title 14, Section 1439, California Code of Regulations.  Law enforcement officers will continue to patrol the forest and will issue citations to violators.

SDSF staff is putting in place the required permits, contracts and funding to begin work as soon as the there is a dry period which could be as soon as next week.  The repairs are expected to take 4 to 5 weeks.  The forest will be reopened after repairs are completed.  A notice announcing the reopening will be sent out as well as posted on the CAL FIRE Soquel Demonstration State Forest Facebook page, web page and CZU Twitter account.

During the week of Sea Otter Classic in neighboring Monterey County, SDSF has always seen a large influx of users coming to visit with people from all over the world who are in the area.  Please help us spread the word at the Sea Otter, bike shops, social media and word of mouth that SDSF is still closed and will likely be reopened in late-May or early-June. For information updates follow us on:

·         CAL FIRE Soquel Demonstration State Forest Facebook page @CALFIRESoquel

·         CAL FIRE CZU on Twitter @CALFIRECZU

·         SDSF Webpage at http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_soquel

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CONTACT: Angela Bernheisel (831) 475-8643 
RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2017

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