Santa Cruz County Public Safety Articles

Graham Hill Road was a Highway 9 detour in February. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file)
Highway upgrades

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk Giant Dipper has drawn over 60 million thrill-seekers to scream while careening around the roller coaster’s hairpin turns. But more than 65,000 motorists a day know that roller coaster ride pales compared to the high-speed, white-knuckle …

A controlled burn at Wilder Ranch State Park is planned Oct. 28 to Nov. 5, depending on weather. A crew works at Wilder in 2023. (State Parks)
SANTA CRUZ >> Cal Fire started a 250-acre controlled burn on private land …

Santa Cruz Community Health Partners with Central Coast Overdose Prevention to Provide 24/7 Access to Naloxone (Narcan) in the San Lorenzo Valley

A wildland fire broke out in trees and brush flanking northbound Highway 1 north of Buena Vista Drive Monday in Watsonville.

By Robin Musitelli

Central Fire District agreed to pay nearly $1 million in a civil suit brought by an employee. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file)
LIVE OAK >> After more than a year in court, Central Fire District of Santa Cruz …

Gary Griggs, UCSC Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences tells us about his new book, California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State, about the history of disasters in our state and what we can expect in the future.

Residents at the UC-owned, 168-unit Hilltop Apartments on Western Drive in Santa Cruz described problems with rats, delayed maintenance and unexplained charges. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
Key takeaways

Measure T asks voters to help fund more firefighters and equipment upgrades in the Zayante Fire Protection District. (Allison Gasparini — Santa Cruz Local file)
ZAYANTE >> Zayante Fire leaders want to bring back more full-time staff and replace aging …

Last November, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District asked Scotts Valley voters to approve a bond to build a new fire southside station and provide a better defense against wildfires. The measure lost by just 12 votes, leaving the district …

Last November, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District asked Scotts Valley voters to approve a bond to build a new southside fire station and provide a better defense against wildfires. The measure lost by just 12 votes, leaving the district …

Central Fire District Station 1 is on 17th Avenue. Central Fire leaders have placed a bond measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> Voters in the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz …

Since 1935, Felton Fire Protection District (FFPD) has had a storied history of excellence in its care for the community and engagement with its constituents.

Later this year, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) will start construction of its $600 million Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project, a long overdue effort to improve levees along the …

What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.

The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation develops partnerships to prepare and respond to emergencies with its COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).

Residents of a Watsonville neighborhood are pushing back against a proposed housing project meant to help homeless people staying along the Pajaro River levee. They say that local officials have ignored their concerns over crime and safety and are moving …

Last Sunday, July 21, Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton played host to nearly 200 people who attended the Santa Cruz Mountains Firewise Festival.

A fire that grew to a half-acre in the Santa Cruz Mountains was extinguished quickly Friday morning before it could threaten the nearby communities of Boulder Creek and Brookdale, authorities said.