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PRESS RELEASE.
Updates as of noon, Wednesday, August 26, 2020:
Fire Update
The fire overnight grew to 80,137 acres across San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties with containment at 19 percent.
A total of 11 structures in San Mateo County and 538 structures in Santa Cruz County have been destroyed. One fatality has been reported.
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect as the fire continues to threaten an additional 24,000 structures.
Access to the evacuation zone remains restricted. See below for further information about road closures.
County officials are working with numerous agencies to develop a repopulation plan that will allow residents to return to their homes and property safely. There is currently no timeline for re-entry.
“We know everyone wants to get home as soon as possible to assess any damage and to get back to their normal lives,” County Manager Mike Callagy said this morning. “We want to get everyone home as quickly as possible.”
Callagy said active fire along with smoldering trees and brush still pose significant threats to public safety.
In addition, crews must clear fallen trees, remove trees that threaten roads and property, repair numerous damaged bridges and, above all, ensure people can return safely.
“We are moving as fast as we can,” Callagy said. “We know people are frustrated. We’ll get everyone home as quickly as we can.”
For updates, the public is encouraged to monitor social media accounts and websites from official sources.
A list of information resources is posted at the end of this notice.
Wildfire Survivors Can Register With FEMA for Assistance:
Residents impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex fires may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through disasterassistance.gov.
Grants may help eligible survivors with financial assistance that includes rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical and dental expenses.
People who suffered losses from the fires should contact their insurance companies first. Insurance delivers the majority of financial help in disasters. For losses not covered by insurance, people can register for disaster assistance in three ways: online through disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA App or by calling 800-621-3362.
Registrations and inspections can be done remotely, keeping survivors safe.
Learn more about the process and how to apply by visiting the California Office of Emergency Services website.
Baby, School Supply Donations Available in HMB
Due to the overwhelming generosity of our community, donated diapers, baby formula and school supplies for those impacted by the fire are available at the evacuation center established at Half Moon Bay High School, 1 Lewis Foster Drive, Half Moon Bay, 94019.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
Financial Donations
Please consider donating financially to assist those impacted by the fires to the American Red Cross, Puente de la Costa Sur or a charity of your choice.
San Mateo County Event Center Evacuation Center Closed
As of this morning, the evacuation center established at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo has closed. The County’s Human Services Agency along with community partners is providing temporary housing for individuals and families displaced by the fire who have no alternatives.
The evacuation center at Half Moon Bay High School remains open and available to displaced residents until further notice.
Support for Animal Evacuees
Numerous groups have worked to evacuate animals large and small from the fire zone.
To help feed and support animals evacuated by the San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group, go to www.smclaeg.org and click on the Volunteer Now button.
The Mounted Patrol Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that supports this effort, and will match contributions to the SMCLAEG up to $10,000. Donations are tax-deductible to the amount permitted by law and may be made via check or PayPal.
More information is available at http://www.mountedpatrolfoundation.org/DonateNow.htm
Checks may be sent to:
Mounted Patrol Foundation
ATTN: SMCLAEG
521 Kings Mountain Road
Woodside, CA 94062-4209
Make a notation on your check that this is for SMCLAEG.
Peninsula Humane Society is accepting donations of pet food, cat litter and newspapers at their Coyote Point Shelter location at 12 Airport Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401 and financial donations online at https://phs-spca.org/donateonline/
To donate to the Cow Palace Livestock Evacuation Center, visit www.cowpalace.com for a list of needs.
Donate feed and supplies to support the large animal evacuees at HMB Feed & Fuel, 331 Main St., Half Moon Bay, 650-726-4814. Financial donations can be made online at https://smclaeg.org
A total of 1,585 large animals have been evacuated by the San Mateo County Large Animal Group and Peninsula Human Society. This includes the following:
• 314 horses
• 10 miniature horses
• 1 Clydesdale horse
• 1 Shire horse
• 101 pigs
• 7 steers
• 1 pony
• 518 cattle
• 1 Scottish Highland cow
• 9 donkeys (includes 3 wild donkeys)
• 6 miniature donkeys
• 3 pot belly pigs
• 81 sheep
• 6 llamas
• 2 alpacas
• 1 camel (willy)
• 97 goats
• 15 ducks
• 300 turkeys
• 25 chickens
• 4 chicks
• 8 peacocks
Road Closures in San Mateo County
The following roads are closed due to the fire. Please do not go to roadblocks to attempt to access the evacuation zone.
Pescadero Creek Road between Alpine and Cloverdale roads.
Cloverdale Road between Pescadero Creek and Gazos Creek roads.
Whitehouse Canyon Road at Highway 1.
Portola Heights Road at Skyline Boulevard.
Highway 1 at Rossi Road.
Highway 1 at Ano Nuevo State Park.
Additional Information and Resources:
To find the most current evacuation map, go to https://arcg.is/PSSv10
Sign up for CalFire email updates at https://tinyurl.com/czulightning
Stay up-to date on air conditions at https://www.airnow.gov/
CALFire CZU San Mateo–Santa Cruz Unit Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/CALFIRECZU
Sign up for SMC Alerts at www.smcalert.info
Connect with the County of San Mateo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CountyofSanMateo
Follow the County of San Mateo on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sanmateoco
Author: Coastside Buzz
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