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Local Wildfires: Information and Resources

*NEW* FEMA Assistance

The deadline to register for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been extended to December 11, 2020 for those impacted by the August Fires.

Applicants may register in the following ways:
• Go online to  http://DisasterAssistance.govDisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download the FEMA Mobile App for smartphones.
• Call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For the latest information on wildfire recovery, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4558.

The CZU August Lightning Complex Fire is seriously impacting residents of the 24th Assembly District in Southern San Mateo County. We are working closely with CalFire and all emergency responders to support their efforts to limit the spread of the fire and assist evacuees. Wildfire season has begun and this season is starting off as one of the worst on record. A few minutes of preparation can save your and your loved ones' lives.  

San Mateo County

For more information about the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, including the latest evacuation warnings and orders issued by CalFire, please visit CalFire's website or San Mateo County's website.

Sign up for emergency text and voice message alerts.

Sign up for email alerts.

Twitter: CAL FIRE CZU | San Mateo County | San Mateo County Sheriff

Facebook: San Mateo County | CAL FIRE

CZU August Lightning Complex Fire Evacuation Center:

  • Half Moon Bay High School, 1 Lewis Foster Drive, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Santa Clara County 

For the most up-to-date information about the SCU Lightning Complex Fire (East of San Jose, not currently in the 24th Assembly District), please visit CalFire's website or Santa Clara County's website.

Sign up for alerts.

For those who are evacuating and have questions about where to go, please call the Santa Clara County EOC Wildfire Hotline at 408-808-7778. This hotline is for evacuees only and is not for general fire information.

Twitter: CAL FIRE SCU | Santa Clara County | Santa Clara County Sheriff

Facebook: CAL FIRE | Santa Clara County | Santa Clara County Sheriff

SCU Lightning Complex Fire Evacuation Resource Centers:

  • Milpitas Library, 160 N. Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
    • *This is not a shelter. For more information, please click here.
  • Ann Sobrato High School, 401 Burnett Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Additional Resources for Your Health and Safety

Give your household the best chance of surviving a wildfire by being ready to go and evacuating early.

Before evacuation is necessary, follow these steps before it's time to GO!

  1. Create a Wildfire Action Plan for your family. Being ready to go also means knowing when to evacuate and what to do if you become trapped.
  2. Complete the pre-evacuation preparation steps (only if time allows) to increase your home's defense.
  3. Make sure you monitor wildfires in your area and know your community's emergency response plan, evacuation orders and evacuation centers.

When immediate evacuation is necessary, follow these steps as soon as possible to get ready to GO!

  1. Review your Evacuation Plan Checklist.
  2. Ensure your Emergency Supply Kit/Evacuation Bag is in your vehicle.
  3. Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, a cap, a dry bandana to cover your face, goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is preferable.
  4. Locate your pets and take them with you.

Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate. Plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time. Each person should have a readily accessible emergency supply kit. Backpacks work great for storing these items (except food and water) and are quick to grab. Storing food and water in a tub or chest on wheels will make it easier to transport. Keep it light enough to be able to lift it into your car. Ensure you plan with COVID-19 in mind.

Emergency Supply Kit Checklist

  • Face masks or coverings
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
  • Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
  • Prescriptions or special medications
  • Change of clothing
  • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler's checks
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
  • Don't forget pet food and water!

Items to take if time allows:

  • Easily carried valuables
  • Family photos and other irreplaceable items
  • Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
  • Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.

To learn more about how to prepare for a wildfire, please click here.

Unhealthy Air

At various times in the coming days and weeks, air quality will probably be unhealthy due to smoke from the surrounding fires. Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat, and irritated sinuses. Similar precautions we take for COVID-19 also help protect us from poor air quality. People with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to smoke in the air and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure. Air quality may improve at times or get worse quickly, so check the latest air quality for your area: www.airnow.gov.

Protect yourself from smoke and COVID-19:  

  • Stay at home as much as possible with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside.
  • Limit trips outside while air quality remains unhealthy.  
  • While in public, wear a face covering to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  
  • Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside.  
  • COVID-19 testing sites remain open. Find a testing location near you: www.sccfreetest.org or https://www.smcgov.org/covid-19-testing

How You Can Help

Puente de la Costa Sur in Pescadero and the American Red Cross are currently accepting financial donations to help residents affected by wildfire.

Resources from the Department of Insurance

Resources to Help Recent Wildfire Victims:  

  • Click here for an Evacuation Checklist for Policyholders 
  • Click here to download a Home Inventory Checklist
  • Click here for Tips to Avoid Being Victimized by an Insurance Scam
  • Click here for Tips to Avoid Being Scammed After a Disaster
  • Click here for additional resources to help recent wildfire victims.

Wildfire evacuees may be eligible for cost reimbursement from their insurance company: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2020/release074-2020.cfm