South San Francisco, CA August 28, 2020
South City resident Marie De Leon wrote to us to express her deep appreciation for the work done to save her Brookdale home from being burnt in the CZU Lightning Complex fires.
“A BIG Thank You to South San Francisco Fire Department #61. Not only for looking out for my home in Mayfair Village but also for my home away from home in Brookdale.” Marie writes.
‘This photo was taken at the Brookdale Lodge just blocks from my home’ Marie writes.
Deployment update our SSFFD on August 24th: Engine 161 with Captain Rael, Engineer Stanley, Firefighter Broughton, and Firefighter Hagar remain committed to the #CZUAugustLightingComplex. Their strike team spent multiple operational periods in the Boulder Creek Area as the fire move southward towards Highway 17. Unfortunately, this fire has turned deadly and our hearts go out to the victim and his family. The August Lightning Complex 78,000 acres with 13% containment.
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Background info on the CZU Lightning Complex Fires
The CZU Lightning Complex fires are wildfires burning currently in the Northern California. The fire complex consists of fires in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties,[1] including fires previously separately tracked as the Warnella and Waddell fires.[2]
It started at 6:41 AM on August 16, 2020, the result of a thunderstorm that produced close to 11,000 bolts of lightning and started hundreds of fires throughout California.[1][3] As of August 26 the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported it as 19% contained.[1]
The abbreviation “CZU” refers to the Cal Fire designation for its San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit, the administrative division for San Mateo, Santa Cruz and San Francisco counties.[4]
– En-wiki
To stay updated on this fire complex CLICK HERE
As of today:
Map as of August 28, 2020 AM
1 Fatality
63 Damaged Structures, 799 Destroyed Structures
2,019 Total Fire Personnel Assigned, 34 Crews,
Cooperating Agencies: CHP, Bureau of Land Management, County of Santa Cruz, County of San Mateo and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
12 Helicopters, 202 Engines, 17 Dozers, 32 Water Tenders
Resources Assigned
CAL FIRE owns and operates over 3,000 fire and emergency response and resource protection vehicles. In support of its ground forces, the CAL FIRE emergency response air program includes 23 Grumman S-2T 1,200 gallon airtankers, 11 UH-1H Super Huey helicopters, and 14 OV-10A airtactical. From 13 air attack and nine helitack bases located statewide, aircraft can reach most fires within 20 minutes.
CZU AUGUST LIGHTNING COMPLEX INCIDENT UPDATE 08/28/20 7 AM
The fire remained active overnight, burning in more dense and dry receptive fuels on the CZU Lightning Complex. A slight warming and drying is expected today, followed by a slight cooling tomorrow. Several evacuation orders were lifted yesterday. Crews will be working with residents to repopulate the area ensuring safety and security while re-entering their communities. An infrastructure group continues working to open roads, mitigate hazard trees and restore utilities. Damage inspection continues where fire activity has diminished and it is safe to do so. The number of destroyed structures reflected may change as teams continue to make progress, damage inspection is now 70% complete. Repopulation of residents affected by evacuations will continue as conditions permit. As residents begin to return home, remember to drive carefully as fire crews and emergency personnel are still working in the area. There are approximately 52,000 residents evacuated.
Santa Cruz County CZU Lightning Complex damage information: Here
EVACUATION WARNINGS FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY:
No Evacuation Warnings currently in place
EVACUATION WARNINGS FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY:
No Evacuation Warnings currently in place
Crews have been working overtime, exhausted they find a place to sleep wherever they can. Photo: Twitter
