Volunteers mark Soberanes Fire anniversary with clean-up
It was a year ago that the Soberanes Fire burned more than 132,000 acres of land along the Big Sur Coast.
“I worked on a lot of trails where we opened them up after having years of growth and closure,” said volunteer Maria Fernin. “Watching the fire go through and decimate areas that I worked on it was pretty painful.”
The fire was one for the record books. Crews from all over the country fought it for nearly three months as it destroyed nature, homes and revenues to local businesses. Fire officials said it was all started by an illegal campfire in Garrapata State Park.
“It could have been avoided if we just took some simple steps to put out our fires,” said volunteer Sandra Flores. “To just make sure we’re vigilant about when we’re in open spaces.”
The Ventana Wilderness Alliance marked the anniversary of the fire with a clean-up and fire prevention efforts at Arroyo Seco Gorge, a trail located in the Los Padres National Forest where the Soberanes Fire burned.
“The fire is a reminder that if we don’t pay attention and do the behaviors that are expected of us tremendous tragedy can happen,” said Richard Popchak with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance.
With bags and gloves volunteers combed through parts of the forest, picking up trash and dismantling fire rings.
“Fire rings that are along the river are really just asking for trouble,” said Mike Splain, Executive Director for the Ventana Wilderness Alliance. “Some people aren’t going to know the regulations, they could have a fire in one of those spots. It could easily escape into the forest.”
Volunteers said they hope the clean-up inspires visitors to respect the land and encourages them to think twice before littering or starting an illegal fire.
To remind people that these public lands belong to all of us,” said Popchak. “It’s up to all of us to take care of them especially when you have a forest service that isn’t funded and staffed.”
This was the first time the Ventana Wilderness Alliance cleaned up the Arroyo Seco Gorge. They say more stewardship projects are planned for the future.
