CAL FIRE CZU

If you ever smell smoke and are wondering if there is a prescribed fire near you, head to fire.ca.gov. 🔥 Under LAYERS, click the prescribed fire box. The map will let you know if an agency is conducting a prescribed fire nearby. For example, today’s CA State Parks burn is on the map. #CaWx ⬇️⬇️⬇️ fire.ca.gov

From @sccounty This message is from the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience. California State Parks has and will be burning piles in various mountain State Parks in Santa Cruz County. This work will be dependent on dry weather and conditions that will facilitate smoke dispersal. Burning will continue as it is safe, through April 2026. Approximately 400 burn piles will be burned throughout Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Castle Rock State Park, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, including the Fall Creek Unit. Pile burning in both Big Basin and Henry Cowell is part of a continuing State Park effort to reduce fuel loads around old growth redwood habitats, fostering forest health. Pile burning in Fall Creek Unit at Henry Cowell is part of a larger fuel reduction project at the park unit to alleviate the potential for extreme fire behavior. Pile burning at Castle Rock is part of a forest health initiative to thin understory trees that are outpacing the growth of the black oak woodland which is a unique fire-adapted plant community in the area. Below is more information on the prescribed burns: • Pile burning will be monitored until piles are cold and extinguished. • Burning will continue as conditions allow until the pile burning season ends. • Ignitions are scheduled to occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for all burns. Smoke may be visible in the vicinity of the parks in Santa Cruz County during the pile burning. Monitoring and patrol will occur throughout this period and extend into the evening and weekend as required. All burning is dependent on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal and to meet ecological goals. If conditions are not conducive for burning, burns will be rescheduled. These burns are respectively permitted, planned, and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District and in order to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities. Pile burning is a part of fuel reduction projects in these parks and helps to alleviate extreme fire behavior in the event of a wildfire. These projects improve emergency access, foster forest health, and enhance biodiversity. To better inform the public on prescribed burns and other fire operations taking place in State Parks’ Santa Cruz District, which includes all state parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, please follow the Santa Cruz Prescribed Fires webpage: • Webpage: sites.google.com/ports-ca.us/pr…

With every note of the pipes and every beat of the drum, the Pipes and Drums of @cafirefighters honor California firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. If you are an active or retired firefighter who feels called to help uphold this powerful tradition of remembrance, learn more and fill out the interest form at cafirefoundation.org/pipesdrums.

It's officially the first day of Spring! 🌷 The sunshine is here, and it’s the perfect time to step outside and strengthen your home’s wildfire protection. Take advantage of the nice weather to create defensible space by clearing dry grass, clearing dead or drying vegetation, trimming trees, and adopting fire-resistant landscaping. Preparation starts at home, and there’s no better time than now. Learn more at: ReadyForWildfire.org

At approximately 3:34pm, CAL FIRE CZU and Felton Fire Protection District were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire off of Hillview Road in Felton. A roughly 20' x 30' spot has burned. Firefighters have completed a hose lay around the perimeter. This fire is contained. The cause is under investigation. Crews will remain on scene for mop-up and to ensure all hotspots are extinguished. No structures were threatened. #CaWx @sccounty

We are proud to announce the graduation of two CAL FIRE CZU Company Officers from Academy Class 26-02. 🇺🇸💪Today’s ceremony was held at Shasta College in Redding. Through rigorous training in advanced command tactics and personnel management, these new leaders are now prepared to oversee crews and enhance emergency response across California. Director Joe Tyler commended the graduates for their integrity and readiness to protect our communities in the most challenging conditions. Left to right: Fire Apparatus Engineer Alberto Torres, James Allen, Deputy Chief - Santa Cruz Division, Fire Apparatus Engineer Anthony Medios

Way to go Coastside! 💪 Coastside Fire Protection District is advancing to the next round, bringing us one step closer to winning $1,500 for Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside! Round 2 voting kicks off this Monday, March 23rd at noon! @sanmateoco

The Balance of Safety and Science: 🌲 Graham Hill Extension Fuel Reduction Project In the Santa Cruz Sandhills, a rare piece of history is being reclaimed from the undergrowth. While Ponderosa pines typically grow in the Sierra, these giants have thrived for millions of years in the ancient, sandy remains of a prehistoric seabed in Santa Cruz County. 🌎 Today, that legacy is under threat. Decades of invasive brush and "ladder fuels" are stifling the forest and increasing wildfire risk. 🔥 Watch this video to see how the Graham Hill Road Extension Fuel Reduction Project should help these giants thrive while improving safety to the San Lorenzo Valley. @sccounty

Just after 9:00pm last night, a structure fire was reported on Cutter Drive in the Pajaro Valley Fire District. CAL FIRE, Pajaro Valley Fire, Santa Cruz County Fire, Watsonville Fire, Central Fire, AMR and CHP responded. Crews arrived to find a two story residence with fire on the first floor. Firefighters encountered low visibility while working to locate the source of the fire. During a primary search, two cats were successfully rescued from the home. There were no other injuries. The fire is currently under investigation. @WatsonvilleFire @centralfiresc @CHPscrz @sccounty

FIRE TRUCK FACE-OFF 🚒 Vote for Coastside Fire Protection District and help us donate $1,500 to the charity of our choice, the Boys and Girls Club of Coastside! LINK TO VOTE ⬇️⬇️⬇️ firetruckfaceoff.com @sanmateoco

Hot weather is here, and it doesn’t take long for conditions to turn dangerous. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. Take simple steps to protect yourself and others: ☀️ Stay hydrated ☀️ Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day ☀️ Wear light clothing and take breaks in the shade ☀️ Never leave children or pets in a vehicle—even for a minute ☀️ Check on neighbors, especially older adults Heat can impact anyone. Stay cool. Stay safe. #CALFIRE #HeatSafety #StayHydrated #PublicSafety

@NativeSantaCruz @sccounty Two stations are located on the property, one is 24/7 staffed. One is a CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County FD station, and one is a Santa Cruz County FD volunteer station, and that is called McDermott Station 34.

@CALFIRECZU @sccounty Is this a 24/7 staffed station? Or is that only when fire season begins?

ARSON INVESTIGATION Please download the news release for details. myemail.constantcontact.com/Arson-Investig… @sccounty

It’s officially too hot... I saw a tech bro switch from his signature fleece to short sleeves 🫣 Visit redcross.org/HeatCheck for extreme heat safety information. Stay hydrated, stay cool, & stay connected Greater Bay Area.

@RobMayeda It's hot.

The temps in the Santa Cruz mountains today near Boulder Creek and Scotts Valley... my friends ok over there? #CAwx 3/17/2026

Rangers are warning hikers to beware for more rattlesnake sighting as temperatures continue to rise amid a Bay Area heat wave: nbcbay.com/Kxx93pK

Voting for Fire Truck Face-Off has begun! 🚒🚒🚒 Please cast your ballot for San Mateo County Fire here: ⬇️⬇️⬇️ firetruckfaceoff.com @sanmateoco