Santa Cruz Mountain Strong

By Wendy Sigmund

There is not much more to say.  We had a lightning storm in the middle of a heat wave.  The lightning caused fires deep in the forest. So deep no one knew they were there until they were so big they created the second largest fire in the history of California. (*Note- this fire is not the second largest in the history of California; August complex is raked first at 970,563 acres and Mendocino Complex is at 459,123 acres while CZU Lightning Complex took 86,509 acres. As far as structures CZU is the forth most destructive 1,490 structures destroyed according to: https://www.fire.ca.gov/…/czu-lightning-complex…/ the ranking of second largest wildfire was stated at the time by KSBW. Thank you for helping us keep the information accurate.) 

The town of Boulder Creek was evacuated. Every person was ordered to leave.  The evacuation spread as the fire moved through the valley.   Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Bonny Doon, Davenport, Felton and even Scots Valley.  All people had to get out.  What was a seemingly impossible task of controlling the river of people fleeing the flames, was flawless.  People left in droves without incident.  If that was the whole story it would be a good one.  But there is so much more.  

Some residents did not leave.  Some residents wanted to fight for their property and ended up fighting for their neighbors homes as well. For all of us were in this together.  If the fire takes a home it would take another and so forth.  It was inadvisable for them to stay but they did.  It was dangerous for them to stay, but they did.  

The fire fighters stayed, even when CalFire did not have the resources to back them up.  Even when they thought the flames would take the town. They stayed. They fought. They won.  

We have the town of Boulder Creek because they stayed.  We have the other side of Hwy 9 because they stayed.  If ever there was a more heroic bunch of men and women I have never met them.  And right now I am so proud to know them.  I am so proud of them.  

If that was the whole story it would be a good one.  But there is so much more.  The fire crept towards town from the mighty mountain.  Those of us evacuated heard rumors of the golf course being lost, then the Boulder Creek Elementary School being lost, then churches homes and finally our beloved downtown.  It was not true, because they stayed.

The particulars of each battle are too many to list here today.  They will come.  However the story does not end here.  Within days of evacuations people realized they would not be able to return home for some time.  In some cases not at all.  Those of us that fled, had to make the tough call to leave animals.  Not by choice but evacuating chickens is not very feasible.  Sometimes cats do not come when they are called.  Read Chicken Man story in this issue for that story  

The evacuation centers were sometimes nice and sometimes not nice at all.  For some of us a hotel was the answer but that got pricy to say the least.  Some people with the good sense to have renters insurance were taken care of but for some they were not.  Some people ended up in campgrounds, some state run facilities and some evacuation centers in tents.  The Red Cross fed us, clothed us and gave us shelter in the most uncertain times.  That is a lot to be grateful for. 

Returning home was a great relief to so many.  And a day filled with anguish and sorrow as the realization that their home was no longer there.  The first task at hand was to clean.  The ash covered the ground, the trees and the garden.  Then upon entering the house the realization that a refrigerator left for weeks without power was beyond rancid.  The smell was indescribable.  It is evident as refrigerators now line the streets of Boulder Creek.  Even with that, the overwhelming feeling of gratitude to have a home to return to filled our hearts and the sorrow for our dear friends who could not claim to be as fortunate. 

Then the next crisis sets in our minds.  The water may be poison.   Do not Drink and Do not Boil order is in effect.  Bottles and bottles of water are delivered to downtown.  Don’t touch the water, no showers, no watering the garden that sits there looking so sad and dead.  Not until all tests come in declaring it safe.  Finally the test comes back and it is clear.  Neighborhood by neighborhood the water is declared safe.

If that was the whole story it would be a good one.  But there is so much more.  The day that was night.  Our Santa Cruz Mountains are not the only ones burning.  Over 4 million acres of California wildlands are ablaze.  The smoke becomes so thick that day becomes night.  The Turkeys roost in my trees at 3:30 in the afternoon, the bats fly from their homes and no one can drive without headlights.  It felt like armageddon was upon us.  But this too did pass.

Our towns, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, our community centers, Brookdale Lodge, Camp Campbell, the Boulder Creek Golf Course still stand. And why?  Because they stayed.  If you see one of these fine men and women in town, don’t be shy.  Just a simple thank you will due.  If you want to do more there is so much more you can do,  But one little thing, there is a community account at Jenna Sues.  Residents have been putting money on an account so that no fire fighter or first responder has to pay for their breakfast or their coffee.  Stop in and say hello to Jenna and her crew.  While you are there throw a little something on the heroes of Boulder Creek’s tab.