Santa Cruz County Fire Resources & Updates

On October 14th 2021, OR3 held a community meeting about the CZU Rebuild Directive.

You can watch the meeting here.
See the presentation here.
CZU Rebuild Directive- Notice of Geological Hazard Templates here.

Financial assistance is available for undocumented community members and those ineligible for unemployment or other state funds. This includes loss of wages, reduced hours, loss of employment or loss of housing due to the fires. Call Santa Cruz Community Ventures at 831.225.0545. You will need a photo ID, proof of address and proof of wildfire hardship.

As part of a settlement agreement with the County of Santa Cruz related to a Public Utilities Commission complaint regarding tree removal operations by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, PG&E has agreed to remove wood debris on private property.
Fill out this form link that will be sent to PG&E directly. Customers who have questions may call PGE Directly at 1-877-295-4949

Please see the Santa Cruz County Fire Recovery site for the latest info including:

Debris Flow

The Recovery Permit Center

Events for Fire Survivors

Fire Resources

Latest News

Learn about the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group here.

If you need assistance in recovering from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire email CZUFireHelp@gmail.com or call 831-920-4764 to be connected with a disaster case manager. You can also register here. Disaster case managers can help you return to safe and secure housing by connecting you with available resources, assisting in advocacy and appeals, and creating an attainable recovery plan with you.

Long Term Recovery Group Events

Wildfire Preparation Worksheet and Evacuation Guide from the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County here.

Latest Resources for Survivors on United Way's 211

California Disaster Help Center

Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians

Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians in English here / Spanish here

List of other Fire Relief Funds

Find a fund to support local relief efforts for other California communities affected by wildfire.

January Bilingual Monthly Resource Calendar

Food pantry calendar and other basic resources.

Check the calendar for latest updates & additions

• United Policyholder’s January Events:

  • Buy, Rebuild, or Cash Out - Thursday January 13th 5:30PM

  • Survivor to Survivor Forum - Tuesday January 18th 7PM

  • Roadmap to Recovery Q&A- Wednesday January 19th and January 26th 5:30PM

  • Resolving Claim Disputes - Thursday January 20th 5:30PM

  • Financial Planning Clinic for CA Wildfire Survivors - Tuesday January 25 1PM

County of Santa Cruz Recovery Permit Center:

Pre-Application Clearance Process

Temporary Power Permits

Temporary Housing Permits

Building Permit Application

Make an appointment or contact rpc@santacruzcounty.us or call 831-454-5323

Recover and Rebuild FAQ

Coastal Zone FAQ

Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is accepting applications for affordable homes for sale at Rodeo Creek Court in Live Oak. For an application or more information contact Family Services, 831-469-4663, ext. 14 or familyservices@habitatmontereybay.org.

Low-Income Fire Survivors may apply for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) through Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. More information here.

October 14th 2021, OR3 held a community meeting about the CZU Rebuild Directive.

You can watch the meeting here.
See the presentation here.
CZU Rebuild Directive- Notice of Geological Hazard Templates here.

Our local resource centers are coordinating Disaster Case Management for Fire Families.

If you need assistance in recovering from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire email CZUFireHelp@gmail.com or call 831-920-4764 to be connected with a disaster case manager. You can also register here. Disaster case managers can help you return to safe and secure housing by connecting you with available resources, assisting in advocacy and appeals, and creating an attainable recovery plan with you.

Community Bridges:

Mountain Community Resources 831-335-6600

Live Oak Community Resources 831-476-7284

Nueva Vista Community Resources 831-423-5747

La Manzana Community Resources 831-724-2997

Community Action Board (Davenport Resource Service Center) Call 831-763-2147

Valley Churches United Call 831-336-8258

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey is offering services to families impacted by the fires in need of financial aid to purchase basic needs items. Call 831-920-4764

Give an Hour is offering free online sessions for fire survivors led by a mental health professional. You can sign up for a time here.

Nation’s Finest is offering free referral support and one-hour, self-help, virtual group support meetings on the Teams platform, plus one-on-one phone crisis intervention to those impacted by the wildfires. Contact Nation’s Finest santacruzwildfire@nationsfinest.org or the direct hotline, 650-431-3209, to reach a crisis counselor.

Self-help groups include: Stress Management; Communications & Coping Skills; Navigating Life after a Wildfire; Meditation

CalHope provides crisis counseling and resources. Call 833-317-4673

Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 trained crisis counseling to support people experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5590 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

United Policyholders (UP) is a nonprofit organization that has been helping and advocating for insurance consumers since 1991. Through a Roadmap to Recovery program, UP provides FREE guidance on collecting available insurance benefits, making decisions and getting back home after a catastrophic loss.

Their Road to Recovery Webpage and Event Series is helping homeowners and renters navigate insurance and claims with free events, sample letters, and strategies.

Check out their upcoming and past events for California Wildfire Survivors here.

Contact UP for further support: info@uphelp.org or sign up here to get the latest events and updates.

The California Department of Insurance provides assistance on insurance issues.

Wildfire Resources and Insurance Tips

If you are experiencing difficulty with processing your claim or have an underinsurance issue. Contact 1-800-927-4357 English Contact / Spanish Contact

If you are receiving temporary housing assistance through FEMA's Individual and Households Program, you may qualify for continued rental assistance. Let FEMA know if you have continued need.

Contact Community Bridges, Community Action Board, or Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey to see if you qualify for rental assistance or direct financial assistance.

The Santa Cruz County Fire Recovery website has a comprehensive debris removal page.

The Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County is offering free post-fire recovery assistance including on-site technical and planning help with land and vegetation management.

Please see their website here that includes free webinars on how to protect your land after a wildfire.

Request technical on-site assistance here

Request run off control materials here.

The RCDSC offers chipping services to landowners who clear 100 feet of defensible space around their homes and private roads, as recommended by CalFire, to improve fire safety. Sign ups open May 1 and is first come, first served. Chipping takes place annually May-July and will be scheduled by neighborhood. Fill out the Contact Us form at www.rcdsantacruz.org/fire

The Resource Conservation District built a spreadsheet of erosion control suppliers.

50% off for Fire Survivors at Habitat Restore Santa Cruz.

The Community Tool Shed is open at Boulder Creek Rec and Park District.
Free tool rental for fire survivors Saturdays 8AM - 11AM 15685 Forest Hill Drive 831-703-4135 Learn more here on their website.

Disaster Legal Services may provide free legal help to low-income disaster survivors. DLS can help with insurance claims, legal papers lost in the disaster, home repair contracts and contractors, problems with landlords, proof of homeownership and FEMA appeals. Learn more here or call 1-800-624-33-62 TTY 1-800-462-7585

Free Legal Assistance for Fire Survivors in California from the DLAC. Learn more here about the Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative or call the hotline 888-382-3406

California Lawyers Association Free Legal Answers.

Santa Cruz Relief Get help, offer help, find additional resources.

Fannie Mae's Disaster Response Network: Fannie Mae's Disaster Response Network's HUD-approved housing counselors can develop a personalized action plan, explain mortgage relief programs, provide financial coaching, and support clients’ successful recovery for up to 18 months to support safe, sustainable housing for homeowners and renters.

If you're a homeowner impacted by the CZU Fire, call the Disaster Response Network using the number specifically set up for the CZU Lightning Complex Fire: 866-864-8989 or request an appointment online for free assistance. You can qualify for housing counseling whether Fannie Mae owns your mortgage or not.

If you’re a renter in an apartment impacted by the CZU Fire or other multifamily housing with 5 or more units, use the Renters Resource Finder to access the Disaster Response Network or other helpful resources to address your financial situation.

or Visit knowyouroptions.com for more information.

Free business advising assistance services are provided through Santa Cruz SBDC by signing up here.

Disaster Loan Assistance: SBA low-interest loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners and renters to replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Three Step Process in English/ Three Step Process in Spanish. You must apply for FEMA here in English/ here in Spanish. Then apply for Disaster Loan Assistance Here.

3CEnergy Grant Program The NCEP Homeowner Rebuild Incentive track is a grant for homeowners affected by the 2020 wildfire season who plan to rebuild their homes as all-electric. 3CE will fund eligible projects until a total of $125,000 in funds have been fully reserved. Homeowners in 3CE service territory whose homes were red-tagged by Cal Fire during the 2020 wildfire season may apply for this program. Homeowners can also apply for an additional incentive for Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations to be installed in their new developments.