Bonny Doon Lightning Fires 2020
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SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
August 26 2020
Dear Familia -
Here is a compilation of updates on the 2020 Lightning Fires in Bonny Doon and the Santa Cruz Mountains, as shared on social media by people on the ground and sorted by date. I have tried my best to find the original source for each post. Each “public” photo includes links to the original social media post. Use these links to learn more about each photo or video and to join in the discussion.
Like you, I am extremely worried about the people here. Check back, I am adding photos constantly.
This post focuses on the still-burning community of Bonny Doon. I have another post that focuses on the Hwy 9 Communities of Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond.
In Solidarity,
Fries
Santa Cruz Mountain Fires
(Why is it Called CZU?)
The world’s most awkward hashtag: CZU August Lighting Complex. CZU is the “Coastal Zone Unit” of the Santa Cruz/San Mateo Cal Fire division. August Lighting is, well, straightforward, and complex refers to the fact this is a megafire that started off as a ton of little lightning blasts.
There are also two other major complex acronym fires nearby: LNU (Napa) and SCU (San Jose).
Bonny Doon
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Near the church at Pine Flat/Bonny Doon roads 3:27 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - Ethan Baron
I just got word. My girlfriend in Bonny Doon, her boyfriend & son just lost their homes to the #santacruzfire Here is a map of the fire. It is huge and 0% contained. 9:44 PM · Aug 19, 2020- Becky Johnson
#CZUAugustLightningComplex - FF's reporting a running crown fire that is moving along Empire Grade towards Bonny Doon, working to ensure they get firefighters into a safe spot. May have to retreat back down to Felton. 10:57 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - CAFireScanner
How ‘bout some support for the other part of your district - where Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, and Ben Lomond are all being evacuated? pic.twitter.com/Bca20gedq2
— SoberCannibal (@SoberCannibal) August 19, 2020
Bonny Doon
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Bonny Doon Camera
These images have gone viral. Watch as the flames approach this WildFire spotting camera, slowly engulfing the camera, which continued to post images as it fell, tilting downward.
This is the latest image from the outskirts of Bonny Doon. 10:41 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - Joshua Copitch
VIDEO: Locatelli Ranch in Bonny Doon: “It’s All Gone”
“It’s evolving into potentially one of the biggest (fires) ever for this part of the state. This is the real deal when it comes to inaccessible. It’s trails, it’s steep roads and it’s very, very difficult to get in and fight this fire.
”
Bonny Doon
Friday, August 21, 2020
Just got home from another couple days at #CZULightningComplex. Smith Grade was clear of fire to Bonny Doon but there was a spot atop the hill toward Empire Grade near from Laguna Creek. A group of locals and I saved homes off Thayer. - 1/2 Posted 11:23 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by 1984_brien
2/2 Posted 11:23 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by 1984_brien
#CZULightningComplex People are gathering to protest, calling it a rally. they are hoping to get resoucres "to save their homes." 1/2 Posted 3:34 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by Chris Krohn
2/2 Posted 3:34 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by Chris Krohn
#CZULightningComplex protesters right now in front of entrance Moore Creek park chanting, "Save Bonnie Doon." - 1/2 Posted on 3:42 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by Chris Krohn
2/2 Posted on 3:42 PM · Aug 21, 2020 by Chris Krohn
Bonny Doon
Saturday, August 22, 2020
At this point, the fires have been burning nearly a week. Cal Fire, overwhelmed with hundreds of simultaneous fires in California, is making difficult triage calls. Bonny Doon residents, fearing that their smaller community is not receiving the support it needs, have begun re-entering the mandatory evacuation zone to fight fire themselves.
Rick Peterson posted this video on Facebook along with the following comments:
“I need a stand alone gas water pump. Heading back up at first light. I was at multiple houses today with water sources and no way to pump. A pump and hose would be a life saver. Literally. I was up there jumping from one fire to the next. It’s like hell up there! We were trying to save what houses we could but a lot burnt to the ground.
Brian posts this call to action on 10:09 AM · Aug 22, 2020 via Twitter : “@elonmusk a lot of us just lost our homes in Bonny Doon, CA. Eager to get back and rebuild. This is an opportunity for community solar based infrastructure. Can you point us to a contact for industrial sized solutions?”
Bonny Doon
Sunday, August 23, 2020
Fire lines up over in Bonny doon, ca. - Posted 11:51 AM · Aug 23, 2020 by Joe Ironbear
Bonny Doon and Fall Creek off Felton Empire Road. 8/23. 1/4 Posted 12:26 AM · Aug 24, 2020 by Brian
2/4 Posted 12:26 AM · Aug 24, 2020 by Brian
Dave Funk posted a photo on Sunday August 23, 2020 of his property’s outbuildings, now destroyed. In the Facebook comments, neighbors coordinate DIY firefighting and relief tactics.
Bosch Bahai School In Bonny Doon, California
Quick look at Bosch Bahai School In Bonny Doon, California: main buildings looked OK, many cabins burned to ground. 1/2 Posted 3:57 PM · Aug 23, 2020 - Ethan Baron
1/2 Posted 3:57 PM · Aug 23, 2020 - Ethan Baron
There is a good conversation in Ethan’s comment thread about individual buildings.
Bonny Doon Firefighters dancing in the rain. Yesterday 8/23/20 with the rain and NO LIGHTNING. Blessings for our heroes and our beautiful home. - Posted 3:58 PM · Aug 25, 2020 by Michele Gonzales
This is my beloved friend Amy. She has been one of the ultrabadasses fighting the fires in Bonny Doon. I just sent her a message to "stay dry" because it's freaking RAINING in the SCM :) . Come home safe Amy, you are loved by so many :) <3 - Posted 7:28 PM · Aug 23, 2020 by Sean McLean
I would like to feature more firefighters on this page. If you have any nominations, please contact me. I’m “laurafries” on all social channels.
Bonny Doon
Monday August 24, 2020
“The fact that Wall Street executives made an obscene $3 billion profit off of the death and destruction of California's raging wildfires shows you just how absurd and cruel casino capitalism has become. We need an economy that works for all, not the 1%.
ARTICLE: Hedge Fund Collects $3 Billion in Bet on Wildfire Insurance Claims ”
- Posted 1:01 PM · Aug 24, 2020 by Bernie Sanders
Chris Krohn posts this image, in response to a tweet by Bernie Sanders: “It certainly is absurd. #BonnieDoon #CZULighteningComplex”
[note: similar images attributed to Kevin Painchaud/ SC Sentinel. Will update attribution if KP is photographer of the above.]
sfchronicle.com (paywall): Jacob Kellner shovels fallen hot rocks back onto the other side of the Smith Grade, maintaining the fire break to defend the Boony Doon area from the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Kellner is part of a neighborhood that has banded together and stayed behind in an evacuation zone to defend their homes against the fire. Photo: Sara Gobets / Special to The Chronicle
Bonny Doon
Tuesday August 25, 2020
"While there have been some losses at the Bonny Doon Farm, we know this is but a little detour in the long-term vision." We're sending love and support to #CCOF member Sea to Sky Farm, whose lands have been affected by the recent #SantaCruzFire. #CaliforniaStrong Posted 12:03 PM · Aug 25, 2020 by @CCOForganic
Bonny Doon helicopter pair are working this loop... dropping at area of red icon, drawing from area of yellow icon here. Posted 12:53 PM · Aug 25, 2020 by Eric Dickerson. He has posted many many images from today’s fire suppression activities, complete with street names, on this Twitter thread.
SC SENTINEL: Johan Torres and Chris Fink patrol Bonny Doon in search of spot fires and structures needing defense in a truck equipped with a 300-gallon water tank and gas-powered pump Saturday. (Nicholas Ibarra — Santa Cruz Sentinel; on Twitter as Nick Ibarra. Follow him there for updates.)
”Condemned by fire and law enforcement, some Bonny Doon locals and supporters are engaged in a guerilla-style fight against the #CZULightningComplex ... “They want us to get out of their way? I’ve only seen one fire engine the whole week.” - Posted 9:30 AM · Aug 25, 2020 by Rachael Myrow
N212AH, a Bell Helicopters 212, (callsign N212AH) is circling over Bonny Doon at 1600 feet, speed 25 MPH, squawking 1255, 0.54 miles from Mill Creek #N212AH Posted 3:35 PM · Aug 25, 2020 by SkyCirclesSF, a tweeting bot.
“That night I sat on the porch and watched the lightning show for almost two hours. I finally dozed off until the smell of smoke woke me. It didn’t seem close, but strong, nonetheless. Without power we have no water, no stove top or oven, and without WIFI, no connection to the outside world. By 7:30 am, with no knowledge of what was going on, exhausted and information-starved, we all gathered our dogs and a few items and went to our other son’s house in Santa Cruz.
Our sons are twins and barely need to speak to each other to know what needs to be done. Today they got on their mountain bikes to go up to the homestead and tend to business. They’ve spent a lot of time in the back country so I’m not too worried about their sneaking past blockades, spot fires or burnt trees. Once we hear back, this first chapter will close. At least we’ll know if our ongoing absence and restlessness will be filled with hope for our animals or grief at their fate.”
@terra1221 on 3:18 PM · Aug 25, 2020 posted a beautiful essay on her experiences in the fires on her blog.
Bonny Doon
Wednesday August 26, 2020
A message from Mayor Justin Cummings: Be ready. Resources and information to prepare for potential evacuation. https://loom.ly/iSfCWK4
(Photo credit: Cal Fire) Posted 7:07 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by City of Santa Cruz
#CZULightningComplex Stats (updated 7pm Mon Aug 25)
13% contained
50 years since the region last burned
276+ structures destroyed (other officials have said up to 200)
24,323 structures threatened.
78,684 acres burned
77,000 people evacuated
THANK YOU to all of the photographers, journalists and people on social media for posting updates on our community!
I tried to get attribution for all images but if i missed yours please let me know! Please consider FOLLOWING the many journalists and photographers who are doing the hard work of documenting this in real time. this is a volunteer noncommercial effort, so thanks for being kind if something needs fixing.
If you want to help from afar, check out the hashtags! There are a ton of people asking Googleable questions, unable to load fancy websites on their cruddy mobile connex. I have more 2020 Fire info for you below:
Read more about the Santa Cruz Mountain Fires. Updated constantly.
BIG BASIN
Big Basin State Park has been significantly damaged, confirms the Parks Department: “[Big Basin suffered] extensive damage from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires in Santa Cruz County and is closed until further notice. The fire damaged the park’s headquarters, historic core and campgrounds.“ The Mercury News reports, “The status of the ancient redwoods in the park, some of which tower more than 300 feet tall and date back nearly 2,000 years, was unclear early Thursday morning. Redwood trees’ bark is heavily fire-resistant, but in intense fire storms the trees can be damaged. Big Basin is home to the largest continuous stand of old-growth redwoods south of San Francisco.”
Boulder Creek firefighters work to control the spray CZU August Lightning Complex from crossing Big Basin Way on Wednesday. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Near Little Basin Campground in Big Basin State Park 7:25 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - Ethan Baron
The remains of a structure along Big Basin Way that was destroyed by the CZU August Lightning Complex. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Winds shifted last night pushing the fire south. So far our property & Boulder Creek have been spared, but other areas have not been so fortunate. Thank you all the firefighters keeping us safe! 1:10 PM · Aug 19, 2020 - Big Basin Vineyards PC: Shmuel Thaler, Santa Cruz Sentinel
Vast majority of giant redwoods in center of Big Basin Redwoods State Park scorched but still standing. Posted 7:46 PM · Aug 20, 2020 by Ethan Baron
As Byron T Russell explains, “The cones just opened up like: POP goes the weasel! This is damn good news for the redwoods and sequoias ... provided that it's a wet-enough winter. Pray for a wet-enough winter for them. Next year it will be humming with youngsters. They cannot reproduce without fire.”