BrØnw3n’s World

… this time for their “Money Makeover” column. Unfortunately, the reporter got several facts wrong.

1. I have a Special Use Permit, not a lease. The 100-year lease thing is one piece of misinformation that just will not die.
   
2. My permit fees are annual, not monthly.
3. The Forest Service only requires me to vacate the cabin when there is a rain event, such as the one going on right now. While the danger of debris flows remains, the Forest service will continue to suspend our special use permits only for the duration of a storm that might trigger a debris flow. So once the rains pass there is no obstacle to me moving back into the canyon.
4. And for my place, if it is damaged by flooding or debris, I know for a fact that I won’t be allowed to rebuild.

Other than that, the gist of the article is accurate. My finances are a mess, and short of winning the Lottery, I have no choice but to sell the cabin.

Enjoy… I think…

~B~

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-makeover17-2010jan17,0,6959422.story

As 2009 comes to an end, I look back at all the changes it brought to so many forest dwellers. The Station Fire began modestly enough, but, like all things that cause great change, it caught everyone by surprise. I know I will never forget the snow of ash, the red air swirling around me, or the fear and amazement I felt as I fled for my life, one eye on the road ahead and the other glued to the vision of the roaring inferno behind me as it destroyed nearly everything in its path.   Read more »

I know it’s been a while since I’ve sent out an update. I’ve been gradually settling into my new life, trying to figure out what to do and how to do it. Overall, things are progressing. It just seems very slow and difficult at times, more so than I ever expected.

The cabin in Big Tujunga Canyon is boarded up and sandbagged. Now all I can do is wait and pray. The BAER team’s plan to protect my cabin and others that survived the Station Fire was shot down by Forest Service bureaucracy. The recommendation had been to put k-rails, large concrete beams often used on freeways, in place to deflect the coming debris flows. Unfortunately, the local Forest Supervisor, who has a long history of anti-resident activities, ordered a re-evaluation of that part of the BAER plan. That re-evaluation shot down the BAER Team’s recommendation and made no alternative recommendations. Read more »

I don’t know how closely you follow the news, but earlier this week the USGS released their assessment of the debris flow dangers created by the Station Fire. The unfortunate reality is that my house, Nana’s cabin, is right, smack in the middle of one of the most dangerous parts of the burned areas. The problem with staying in the canyon isn’t the rain, per se. It’s the fact that ALL of the vegetation on the hills was VAPORIZED by the fire. Because there are no plants left – trees, chaparral, grasses -  there is nothing to hold the soil in place when the rains come. Even if we have light rains this winter, as little a 1/4″ of rain can trigger debris flows large enough to bury my home.

Read more »

The following is a repost of my first official Editorial on the Angeles Rising website. While I have been very careful to only post news and updates to that site, I felt the need to express an opinion given the onset of investigations into actions taken leading up to the Tujunga Inferno. Take what you like and leave the rest…

It’s hard to believe that the Station Fire roared through Big Tujunga Canyon a month ago. In some ways it seems like five minutes ago. In other ways it seems like a lifetime.

In the month since the fire I have gotten to know my neighbors better than I had in thirty years of coming to the canyon, or in ten years of being a resident, myself. This month has taught me about the warmth of strangers, and frustration with  bureaucracies to a greater degree than I realized was possible. So many lessons, so many insights.

Read more »

Every day I am reminded of the wonders of the Universe. Nothing can compare with the miracles I see around me every day, in the Herculean efforts of the work crews striving to restore power and clear debris, and in the resurgence of greenery in trees that a few short days ago looked dead and lifeless.

I am also reminded of why it is that I don’t watch soap operas. Nothing that writers can compose compares to the antics and ridiculousness that people put themselves and others through when given a chance to behave badly. It’s truly amazing.

Let’s cover power stuff first…   Read more »

When I first returned to the canyon to see the damage left by the fire, I was amazed at how much life remained in spite of the devastation. Now, three weeks later, I’m even more amazed at how the trees are bouncing back from immersion in an inferno. Even the oak trees have bright green new growth! Here are some photos to help illustrate the point. Click on the photos below for a closer look and more info about each picture.

~B~

Yes, that’s Lila in the foreground.

Lemon tree, very pretty… 

News Flash! I’m back in the canyon!

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were all about cleaning and raking and fixing fencing and running around and putting out fires (literally and figuratively!) By the end of the day yesterday I was tired and achy, covered with dirt and ash, my lungs felt like they were full of sand, my sinuses felt like they were full of gravel, and my fingers were cut and bleeding from twisting baling wire around fence posts.

That said, we were able to get enough done so that I could return to the canyon. So, last night, for the first time since the Station Fire raged through Big Tujunga Canyon on August 29, the dogs and I slept at home.   Read more »

Sorry for not sending an update yesterday. Between switching residences and other things, it was a busy day.

Yesterday morning the Ranger for our district drove several caravans of residents into the forest so we could assess the damage, and, where possible, retrieve additional items from our homes. You may have seen the article in the LA Times. It was a difficult, bitter-sweet trip. The entire canyon was incinerated – it’s a miracle that anything was left.  Read more »

Just a quick update – not much new to report about my house and its status. As reported before, the Forest Ranger for my district personally confirmed that my cabin is one of the few left standing in Big T. I guesstimate that better than 3/4 of my neighbors lost their homes. What remains unknown is the condition of the structure, the amount of fire damage, etc.  Read more »