California wildfires
Finding Hope in a Forest’s Rebirth
A wildfire survivor shares her story of loss and strengthening community ties
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On August 16, 2020, A powerful storm grew above the Pacific Ocean, unleashing about 11,000 bolts of lightning along the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California. The lightning strikes ignited the brutal CZU Lightning Complex Fire (CZU fire), fueled by wind and dry weather, burning over 86,000 acres of coastal redwood forest and destroying at least 925 mountain homes.
Massive flames ripped through neighborhoods, transforming peoples’ homes and most precious possessions into ashen debris. Boulder Creek (pop. 5,182) is among the affected little towns that dot the mountains along the San Lorenzo River. It’s an idyllic spot — less than 15 miles from the beach, lush with towering redwood trees, and creeks spilling lazily down the mountains. If you blink, you might miss the quaint, colorful main street that hosts an eclectic fusion of personalities, with a kind smile hidden behind each facemask. Friendliness is highly contagious in Boulder Creek, and its residents are profoundly loyal to their neighbors and town.
