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US

Evacuation Orders Downgraded to Warnings as Crews Mop Up Estrada Fire Near Watsonville – CBS San Francisco

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WATSONVILLE (CBS SF) — A wildland fire burning near Watsonville that forced evacuations after being sparked by a prescribed burn Friday afternoon was 10% contained by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters made “significant progress” overnight against the Estrada Fire in south Santa Cruz County, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said Saturday. Officials later updated the size of the fire to 83 acres.

“The fire did not grow last night,” said Angela Bernheisel. “We expect a lot more containment today and we hope to be able to lift the evacuation orders tonight. Conditions calmed down significantly overnight.”

A Cal Fire prescribed burn in the area Friday afternoon jumped its containment lines near Corralitos Friday. In response, firefighting crews from Cal Fire and Santa Cruz County local fire departments attacked the blaze and surrounded the it with retardant Friday night.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders and warnings and an evacuation center opened at Corralitos Community Church. That evacuation center closed at 10 p.m. because of light usage, according to Santa Cruz County officials.

The evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings around noon on Saturday.

A 20-acre prescribed burn at Estrada Ranch was scheduled for 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday. It was intended to reduce dry fuel and prevent a wildland fire. Cal Fire warned residents on social media to expect to see smoke from the controlled burn.

It’s not yet known what happened to cause the flames to jump the line around 2:40 p.m.

Noe Torres, a Watsonville resident, said that, when he saw wildlife trying to escape the fire, he knew he had to prepare for the worst.

“I saw a bunch of wild turkeys coming down, that was scary,” Torres said.

Torres said he then turned on his sprinklers to protect his property.

Kim Miles said she’s preparing just in case the wind shifts.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Grab some personal things that can’t be replaced, pictures and whatnot, have my car ready if we need to go.”

When asked if she would be able to sleep tonight, she responded, “Very lightly.”

 

At least 30 engines responded to the blaze Friday afternoon as it flashed across hilly terrain covered in oak and grass.

At least seven Cal Fire air tankers attacked the fire but were grounded after nightfall.



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Health

More than half of residents age 65-plus vaccinated in Santa Cruz County

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More than half of residents age 65-plus vaccinated in Santa Cruz County

The county looks to expand access to more groups

Santa Cruz County announced on Monday that they would expand access to the COVID-19 vaccination after they hit a major vaccination milestone. More than half of the county’s residents aged 65 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the county health department reported. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, it was announced that nearly 20% of the county residents had received their first vaccine shot. Santa Cruz County is ranked seventh for per capita vaccinations among California’s 61 health jurisdictions and second among large counties.Related | COVID-19 vaccines in California: Everything you need to knowOn Feb. 22, county officials announced that they would expand access to the vaccine to people who work in education and childcare, emergency services and food and agriculture industries. Eligibility will be based on occupation definitions from the California Department of Public Health. “It has taken a truly collaborative effort across the community to reach this point,” Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Director Mimi Hall said. “We are steadily increasing our vaccine infrastructure to enable wider access. While we are proud and pleased with efforts so far, they are limited by both vaccine supply and changing vaccine distribution plans from the State of California. I ask for the public’s continued support and understanding.”The county’s website at www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine contains the latest updates for the county.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

Santa Cruz County announced on Monday that they would expand access to the COVID-19 vaccination after they hit a major vaccination milestone.

More than half of the county’s residents aged 65 or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the county health department reported. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, it was announced that nearly 20% of the county residents had received their first vaccine shot.

Santa Cruz County is ranked seventh for per capita vaccinations among California’s 61 health jurisdictions and second among large counties.

Related | COVID-19 vaccines in California: Everything you need to know

On Feb. 22, county officials announced that they would expand access to the vaccine to people who work in education and childcare, emergency services and food and agriculture industries. Eligibility will be based on occupation definitions from the California Department of Public Health.

“It has taken a truly collaborative effort across the community to reach this point,” Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Director Mimi Hall said. “We are steadily increasing our vaccine infrastructure to enable wider access. While we are proud and pleased with efforts so far, they are limited by both vaccine supply and changing vaccine distribution plans from the State of California. I ask for the public’s continued support and understanding.”

The county’s website at www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine contains the latest updates for the county.

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