The old-timers and local firefighters always said the San Lorenzo Valley was a tinder box, a fire here would be catastrophic. It has been long since a fire has run through our Valley, but fateful events mark 2020. Our newsfeeds were filled with spectacular imagery of the lightning storm, bolts touching the earth. While we were all in awe, our mountains began to burn, the skies filled with ominous smoke and flickering flames. Our hearts dropped as the evacuations came in. Some families were getting knocks on their doors in the middle of the night as Bonny Doon burned.  We have brave men and women serving our mountains, but they weren’t enough. Resources were thin as the whole state lit like a match. Brave civilians stayed behind to protect their communities. The fire quickly made its way close to the San Lorenzo Valley’s Northern entrance and exit, Boulder Creek. The siren in town gave a chilling ring to notify the residents it was time to evacuate. Within 48 hours, the entire Valley, Scotts Valley and UCSC campus had been evacuated. Our lovely giant redwoods stood tall and sustained the flames as it engulfed Big Basin State Park clear to the ocean, decimating communities on its path.

We rose early for eleven days to watch the 6 am updates, days at 0% containment, waiting on help to arrive. Now twelve days in and we are above 30% containment. By the time this reaches the newsstands, those numbers will have increased, and likely most of you will have returned home. Some will heartbreakingly have to decide to rebuild or move on from the ashes. Other’s homes will still be standing, but the infrastructure damage will create a trying transition period.

We are at the beginning of the fire season, and the threat is still looming over us. We are a strong mountain community, our hearts are generous, and we will rebuild and strengthen our bonds.