Redwood City – San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy today signed an emergency regulation to temporarily authorize County staff and contractors to enter private property so they can conduct safety assessments of areas impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex fires.
The emergency regulation only extends to the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County and was signed by Callagy in his role as the director of emergency services. Staff and contractors given the temporary access includes but is not limited to personnel from the Department of Public Works, Environmental Health Services, the Department of Planning and Building, Parks, CAL FIRE and the Sheriff’s Office.
Damage assessments may include road, drainage structure and bridge safety, the presence of hazardous materials, water well status, sewer septic system status, propane tank status, the integrity of structures and tree safety.
The emergency regulation remains in effect until it is modified or revoked by Callagy or the Board of Supervisors, or the existing local emergency due to the fires ends.
To date, the CZU Lightning Complex fires that began Aug. 18 have covered over 80,000 acres across both San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties.
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