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Scotts Valley residents could return home this week, Santa Cruz County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Chris Clark said in a news conference Wednesday evening.
Felton reopening could take a day or a week.
North of Felton is heavily damaged and could take a week or weeks, Clark said.
Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon, Swanton and Davenport are expected to take weeks to reopen because of major damage to homes, utility lines, roads and roadside trees.
Missing men
Three men remained missing within the evacuation zone Wednesday evening, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Photos have been released. Call dispatch at 831-471-1121 if spotted.
Henry Reinke, 70. Reported last seen Aug. 20.
Shane Smith, 21. Reported last seen Aug. 20.
Micah Szoke, 37. Reported last seen Aug. 15.
Fire updates
The wildfire was 21% contained Wednesday evening at 126 square miles, up from 124 square miles Tuesday evening and 122 square miles Monday evening, Cal Fire reported.
At least 408 homes have been destroyed, 39 homes damaged.
At least 49 non-residential buildings were destroyed, six damaged, Cal Fire said.
About 55% of damage inspection maps have been verified enough to appear on the county’s preliminary damage map, said Cal Fire incident commander Billy See.
Fire victim benefits
Residents impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire can register for federal assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
Registrants will need a Social Security number, household income, contact information, insurance information and bank account details if eligible for money. 📰 Read Stephen Baxter’s story.
Evacuation map
Wednesday, Cal Fire lifted its emergency evacuation order for many parts of UC Santa Cruz, shown in green. Click the image for an updated map. (County of Santa Cruz) Visit the Santa Cruz Local Wildfire Resources page for more maps.
Parts of Boulder Creek without water due to wildfire damage
Scores of homes and businesses around Boulder Creek remained without running water Wednesday as the San Lorenzo Valley Water District replaces 7.5 miles of water intake pipeline melted or otherwise damaged by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire.
Another melted pipeline that connects the plant to its main storage tank led to the loss of 4.5 million gallons of water — which is about half of the water district’s storage, said Rick Rogers, the water district’s director of operations.
The pipeline was made of plastic that can release toxic compounds. Even after water service is restored in Boulder Creek, consumers should not drink tap water until a comprehensive testing is completed, said Rogers. 📰 Read Jesse Kathan’s story.
Update: Eviction protection extended to Jan. 15 for Watsonville tenants
A ban on evictions will protect city of Watsonville tenants who have lost money due to COVID-19.
The council voted 5-1 for the ban late Tuesday night with Mayor Rebecca Garcia and Councilmembers Aurelio Gonzalez, Felipe Hernandez, Lowell Hurst and Ari Parker in favor. Mayor Pro Tempore Trina Coffman-Gomez voted against it.
Santa Cruz Local reported that the eviction ban would expire based on a 4-1 vote that needed five votes to pass earlier in the evening.
A second vote was made about 11:15 p.m. after many attendees of the online meeting had left. It reversed the council’s decision earlier in the night. 📰 Read Kara Meyberg Guzman’s story.
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