'Stay Alert,' Officials Warn Residents Near CZU Fire Burn Scar

Scotts Valley CA

04 January, 2021

2:16 PM

Description

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, CA — Officials are eyeing an approaching rainstorm with concern that it could impact the area scorched by the CZU August Lightning Complex fires. No evacuations have been ordered as of 11:15 a.m and Santa Cruz County will update residents if that changes. The National Weather Service has urged residents in the area to stay alert as officials monitor for the possibility of debris flow. "Rainfall rates should be below criteria, but we have concerns for brief moments of higher rates on the highest peaks," the National Weather Service wrote Monday morning. Light rain passed over the Central Coast in the earlier hours of Monday morning and a "brief but relatively active system" was expected to follow hours after. NWS said at noon that the storm continued to move toward the Central Coast, though much of it had fallen apart. Spotty showers are expected through the afternoon. Strong winds were possible in areas at higher elevations, according to NWS. Rain is possible again in the Santa Cruz Mountains area Wednesday and Friday, according to the NWS forecast. Santa Cruz County residents are encouraged to learn their evacuation and risk zones, and sign up for emergency mobile notifications through the Code Red app. Debris flow can cause more injuries than the wildfire event itself, the county said. "Expansion of human development into forested areas has created a situation where wildfires can adversely affect lives and property, as can the flooding and landslides that occur in the aftermath of the fires," according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This is a developing story; refresh for updates.