Open Space Closures Take Effect In Santa Cruz Due To Fire Concern

SANTA CRUZ, CA —Officials are cracking down on camping in Santa Cruz's open spaces amid unprecedented hot, dry weather.

Santa Cruz Fire Chief Jason Hajduk signed an emergency order last week to ban off-trail activity in Pogonip Open Space, DeLaveaga Park and Moore Creek Preserve. Low moisture levels in the area's vegetation made the order necessary; it will be lifted when enough rain falls to offset fire risk.

"These conditions coupled with the number of fires that have already occurred in these areas necessitates closure until conditions change," the order said.

Police and fire officials hit the trails in recent weeks to notify campers. Walking, hiking, biking and other on-trail uses are still permitted.

A list of resources for unhoused persons in Santa Cruz County can be found here.

Hajduk signed the order days after the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit announced that moisture levels of plants in the region were at or below historic low values for early July. In 2020, moisture levels didn't dip as low until early to mid-August, according to Cal Fire.

This month, Gov. Gavin Newsom added Santa Cruz County to the list of those covered by an emergency drought proclamation, which now includes 50 of California's 58 counties. He asked all Californians to reduce water consumption by 15 percent.

Last year, the Golden State saw record-breaking, devastating wildfires, such as the CZU August Lightning Complex fires that tore through 86,500 acres of the Santa Cruz Mountains, destroyed 1,500 buildings and left one person dead.

Major firefighting efforts could cost the city millions of dollars, Hajduk said.

"It is my hope that we will not have a CZU type fire within our City this summer, and I expect that everyone will do their part to not be the ignition source for a fire within our open spaces," he said in the order.

Call 911 if you see illegal fires in the city's open spaces.