In 2017, the Whittier Fire ripped through the Santa Ynez Mountains near Highway 154, scorching more than 18,000 acres, destroying 16 homes, and burning 47 of the 50 structures at Camp Rancho Alegre, which has been a camping destination used by the Boy Scouts of America and schoolchildren at The Outdoor School for more than 50 years.

Los Padres Council of the Boy Scouts of America has established a capital campaign to rebuild and reframe Rancho Alegre, and, as a way of contributing to the worthy cause, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced that the Council will be the main beneficiary of its annual Chumash Charity Golf Classic.

“One of the amazing traits of this community is our instinct to pull together, pitch in and provide help when tragedy strikes,” said Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

“During the Whittier Fire, many brave citizens had an opportunity to rise to the occasion and shine in an emergency situation. When the tribe was asked if we could provide transportation for 80 children and staff who needed to evacuate Circle V Ranch, we sent buses to help our brave first responders complete a dramatic rescue,” he added. “We were ready to help in the moment, and we’re pleased to help Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America in the aftermath.”

The two-day Chumash Charity Golf Classic, which will be held Aug. 21-22 at the Alisal River Course in Solvang, will raise money for Los Padres Council and help fund the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Technology in Schools Program, which is aimed at fulfilling high-tech needs in Santa Barbara County classrooms.

It will require an estimated $15.5 million to rebuild, modernize and improve Camp Rancho Alegre. While insurance claims are anticipated to cover $9 million of the total cost, Los Padres Council has launched a $6.5 million capital campaign to complete the project. With the camp closed, young scouts are currently forced to attend scout camps farther away, and The Outdoor School has been relocated to the smaller Camp Whittier.

“We are honored and thankful that the Phoenix Campaign to rebuild Rancho Alegre is the beneficiary of the Chumash Charity Golf Classic for 2019,” said Carlos Cortez, Scout Executive and CEO of Los Padres Council. “Rancho Alegre’s 215 acres provided a unique outdoor education experience to over 4,000 fifth- and sixth-graders annually through The Outdoor School plus hundreds of Scouting adventures. Thank you Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians for supporting our efforts to not only rise from the ashes of the fire but to build a unique community resource available to all families.”

Since its inaugural event in 2005, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ annual golf tournament has raised more than $1.4 million for local charities and nonprofits. Past beneficiaries include the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Dream Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County, Lompoc Family YMCA, Unity Shoppe, and local schools and museums, among others.

To find out more about the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation and its giving programs, visit www.santaynezchumash.org.

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Spaces and camperships (scholarships) are only available for the Circle V Ranch Camp summer 2019 session, Saturday, Aug. 3-Thursday, Aug. 8., Ray Lopez, camp director, has announced. Theme for the week is Talent Show Week and the deadline to submit an application to attend is July 18.

The camp is located across from Cachuma Lake in the Santa Ynez Valley. Circle V Ranch Camp has reopened this summer for the first time since the July 8, 2017, Whittier Wildfire forced the closure due to damage to the health lodge, craft cabin and water treatment facility, which have since been repaired.

Each Circle V Ranch Camp session is six days and five nights of traditional supervised summer activities for boys and girls ages 7-13. Campers enjoy archery, arts and crafts, hiking, swimming in the pool, learning about nature, reading skills, painting, photography, baseball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, soccer, miniature golf and of course, campfires, skits and singing.

There is no TV, radio or internet access to affect the experience. Campers stay in cabins, and three daily meals served family-style in the dining lodge are not only for food but also for camaraderie and fellowship.

Circle V Ranch Camp was founded by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles in 1945 and has been located on 30 acres in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County since 1990. In summer 2016, the camp hosted more than 1,000 children.

The Circle V Ranch Camp fee for six days/five nights including lodging, all meals, activities, recreation and supervised fun is $600 per child. Camperships (scholarship funds made by individuals and group donations) are available for qualified campers and reduce fees to as low as $100 per child.

For complete information, visit http://www.circlevranchcamp.org/datesthemesfees.html.

Parents/guardians can contact the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Circle V Ranch Camp main registration office at 323-224-6213 to receive the camp application, or apply online at www.circlevranchcamp.org.

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Community volunteers are being sought for a “Work Party” to help staff prepare for reopening the Circle V Ranch Camp in July 2019. The Circle V Volunteer Work Party will be held  from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Camp located at 2550 Highway 154 across from Cachuma Lake.

Volunteers will be assisting in a variety of projects from cleaning cabins, painting, weeding and gardening and are asked to bring along any tools such as work gloves, paint brushes and wheelbarrows. Volunteer workers may be any age yet any volunteer under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult/chaperone over the age of 18. A hearty lunch will be provided for all.  Volunteers are asked to please RSVP by May 16, 2019 by calling the Camp office at 805-686-2696.

“We are so excited to be reopening Circle V for the first time since the Whittier Fire forced our closure on July 8, 2017. Our staff and many others have been working hard since then and we just need more hands to help with some projects right now,” said Ray Lopez, camp director.

Circle V Ranch Camp will reopen on July 12, 2019 for the first of four summer sessions offering six days and five nights of traditional supervised fun for boys and girls ages 7-13 and leadership training for ages 14-17. Campers enjoy activities including archery, arts & crafts, hiking, swimming in the pool, learning about nature, painting, photography, playing baseball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, soccer, miniature golf and of course, campfires, skits and singing. There is no TV, radio or internet access to affect the experience. Campers stay overnight in wood cabins and three nutritious daily meals are served family style in the Dining Lodge featuring plenty of food, camaraderie and fellowship.

Circle V Ranch Camp & Retreat Center was founded in 1945 by St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles and has been located on 30 acres in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County since 1990. 2019 Summer Session Dates and Themes are:

Session One: Friday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 17 ~ Space Week

Session Two: Saturday, July 20 to Thursday, July 25 ~ Adventure Week

Session Three: Friday, July 26 to Wednesday, July 31 ~ Carnival Week

Session Four: Saturday, August 3 to Thursday, August 8 ~ Talent Show Week

The Circle V Ranch Camp fee for six days/ five nights including lodging, all meals, activities, recreation and supervised fun is $600 per child. “Camperships” (scholarships made by donations) are available for qualified campers. Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Circle V Ranch Camp main registration office at 323-224-6213 to receive the Camp application or download forms at www.CircleVRanchCamp.org/datesthemesfees.html

Donations to help reopen camp and fund “camperships” (scholarships) are always welcome at https://svdpla.org/donate/rebuild-camp and for general information visit www.CircleVRanchCamp.org

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Circle V Ranch Camp, which was closed after heavy damage in the Whittier Fire two years ago, has announced that it will reopen for four sessions in July and August.

“We have been focused on reopening Circle V since the Whittier Wildfire on July 8, 2017, forced our closure with damage to our health lodge, craft cabin and water treatment facility. We are so grateful to so many volunteers and community members who have helped us raise funds and worked to make our reopening a reality,” said Ray Lopez, director of the camp near Lake Cachuma.

The dates and themes for each week of camp this summer at Circle V (Vee) are:

n Space Week, July 12-17

n Adventure Week, July 20-25

n Carnival Week, July 26-31

n Talent Show Week, Aug. 3-8

Circle V Ranch Camp & Retreat Center was founded in 1945 by St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles and has been located since 1990 on 30 acres in the Los Padres National Forest across Highway 154 from Cachuma Lake.

During the summer, Circle V Ranch Camp sessions offer six days and five nights of traditional supervised fun for boys and girls ages 7-13 and leadership training for ages 14-17. Campers enjoy activities including archery, arts and crafts, hiking, swimming in the pool, learning about nature, painting, photography, baseball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, soccer, miniature golf, and campfires, skits and singing.

There is no TV, radio or internet access to affect the experience. Campers stay overnight in wooden cabins.

The cost of each session is $600 per child, but “camperships” (scholarships) are available for qualified campers.

For complete information on fees and camperships, visit www.CircleVRanchCamp.org/datesthemesfees.html

Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the camp’s main registration office at 323-224-6213 to receive an application or to download forms at www.CircleVRanchCamp.org/summer-camp.html

Donations to help reopen the camp and to fund “camperships” are welcome at svdpla.org/donate/rebuild-camp. For general information, visit www.CircleVRanchCamp.org.

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The thundering sounds of the mud and debris coming down the mountain were unforgettable for Cynthi Bacon. The longtime rancher went out to capture a video of her creek rising, and ended up watching a mudflow race down the mountain. The piles of debris, mud and water have ended up clogging a culvert on Highway 154 near Lake Cachuma, which prompted Caltrans officials to shut the road down until they can assess the damage. 

Highway 154 has been closed indefinitely from Highway 246 in Santa Ynez to Highway 192 in Santa Barbara, as crews work to clear the culvert that was caused by flooding and debris from the 2017 Whittier Fire, according to local officials. 

Original estimates by Caltrans said the highway would reopen Sunday Feb. 3, however upon further inspection they determined that there is so much debris it will take much longer and there is no definitive date set. 

“Our driveway is gone and all the work we have done since the Whittier Fire to get back to normal has been washed away,” Bacon said. 

The Bacon’s are longtime cattle ranchers and survived when the Whittier Fire ripped through in the summer of 2017. Then on the Jan. 9, 2018 rain event which caused the Montecito mudslide, they were left without water and spent the year since repairing water lines and their well, along with installing solar panels. 

“Well all that work is gone too now. We are used to not having water for weeks, and luckily just filled our tank up which should last us for awhile. We haven’t gone to look at the road conditions and if the well is even still there yet,” Bacon said. 

Bacon said she loves posting the water flows to Facebook for her friends and family to see and was shocked when her video of the debris flow went viral. The video has been shared more than 5,000 times and shown on national media outlets. 

Photo by Cynthi Bacon

“Thinking back as I stood on the edge and filmed it, I’m not sure I would do it again. I didn’t realize until it was happening, and so thankful it didn’t sweep our house away. I was near the garage when I took that video,” Bacon said. 

Bacon said they have great neighbors who have allowed them to ride their all-terrain vehicles to their property and use their trucks to get to town for supplies, and they are grateful for that. 

(Watch the pumps here) The culvert below their property at Highway 154 is currently below at least 35 feet of water as heavy equipment crews are working to clear it with excavators and pumps to drain the water, according to Caltrans spokesman Jim Shivers.

He added that there will have to be evaluations to the highway to determine if further damage has been caused, but reports of the road washing away aren’t exactly accurate. 

“The term ‘washed away’ isn’t quite what we would call it. There has to be further evaluations and determinations for us to use that term specifically,” Shivers said. 

The Star will update as soon as the highway is open. 

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The Whittier Fire swept through the forest on the north side of San Marcos Pass on July 8, 2017. Almost precisely a year later, on July 6, similar conditions sparked the Holiday Fire on the south side of the ridge.

With temperatures above 100 degrees and dry winds blasting down the slopes, the Holiday Fire leaped to fearful life on a Friday night, destroying homes and forcing 3,200 people to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

By the next day, firefighters had contained it at about 100 acres of destruction in the neighborhoods on North Fairview Road. At the Star’s press time, with the danger past, fire officials said 10 homes and 14 other structures had been destroyed and three more homes damaged, but no one had been killed. Suppression costs were estimated at $1.5 million.

As firefighters continued to seek out hot spots and helped residents return to their homes — or the remnants of their homes — in Goleta, the year-old Whittier burn scars remain obvious near Lake Cachuma.

Operators of several camps damaged by the Whittier Fire are still cleaning up while making plans to rebuild. One of them, Circle V Ranch Camp, had planned a dedication ceremony on Sunday, July 8, but postponed it in the face of continuing high temperatures and the number of firefighters who needed to be fighting the Holiday Fire

“I remember touring the camp after a few days when we were allowed, and the fire marshal grabbed me on the shoulder and said, ‘If you hadn’t done the fire abatement a few weeks ago, this camp would not be here,” recalled Michael Baker, CEO of the United Boys & Girls Club that operates another one, Camp Whittier.

Flames, as seen from Pam Nelson’s house at Camp Whittier, gave her and her visiting grandchildren less than 30 minutes to escape.

Baker recently gave the Star a tour of the camp, recalling details about the day the fire broke out and what has transpired in the past year.

Just a month prior the Whitter Fire, camp managers Todd and Jenny Stepien asked Baker to hire a crew for fire abatement. The crew cleared brush, weed-whacked tall grass, and made sure there wasn’t any fuel near buildings.

“They are seriously the most special people, and I am so glad we hired them because I wouldn’t have though to do that. That’s why I run the program and they run the camp,” Baker said.

Not only did Baker give the Stepiens credit for their managerial skills, he also credited them for financial success.

“When I came to Santa Barbara County three years ago, the camp barely broke even. In the time that Todd and Jenny have been there they have made the camp so successful that it supplements our programs that lose money,” Baker said.

At the time of the Whittier Fire the camp was booked solid until the holidays. When the fire shut them down, their business insurance covered the cost of the damage. But the Boys & Girls Club lost more than six months of revenue that helps fund its programs around the county.

The United Boys & Girls Club is a nonprofit youth development agency that serves children from 5 to 18 years old at nine locations across the county.

“Our program is proof that when you do something right for the community that people will support you in times of need. We have seen so many amazing people step up since the fire to help us, and we turned around and helped our neighbors,” Baker added.

A neighboring facility, the Boy Scouts’ Rancho Alegre, was nearly leveled by the Whitter Fire. The camp also hosts Outdoor School, where students from all around the Central Coast learn about ecology and science.

“We (at Camp Whittier) immediately responded to their needs and since we still had many structures left and they needed a facility, as soon as we could open we invited the Boy Scouts to come and partake. It was a win-win for everyone,” Baker said.

Baker said that he and the Stepiens have been involved in planning the rebuilding and hope to have it completed by early next year. The girls’ cabins were destroyed, with just the two bathrooms remaining.

A piece of the vehicle that started the Whittier Fire in July 2017 hangs in the Camp Whittier office as a reminder of the devastating event.

“The cabins would have been done by this summer, but everything got put on hold when the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides happened. It makes getting a permit and plans approved harder, as there are now more people in line to rebuild and the county is hypersensitive to code enforcement, with good reasons,” Baker said.

He particularly thanked two other people: board member Rich Ridgway, who has helped keep the rebuilding on track; and Tom Heath, an engineer who has helped at his expense to compile the plans for the new buildings and even done manual labor during the camp cleanup.

“Imagine trying to clean up food waste that was two weeks old and had been sitting in several days of weather over 100 degrees and then covered in ash. That was fun,” Baker said sarcastically.

Baker said there are opportunities for organizations and businesses to sponsor the rebuilding process. For a various levels of giving, donors can name the buildings that will be built or other projects such as the zip line and ropes course and the pool house.

“Our camp lost the first game, but we will ultimately win the series,” Baker added.

To help the United Boys & Girls Club rebuild, go to www.unitedbg.org/donate.

Editor’s Note:

The Santa Ynez Valley Star will be talking to leaders of each camp near Lake Cachuma that was damaged in the Whittier Fire last summer and updating readers on their progress of rebuilding and the challenges along the way. This first story focuses on Camp Whittier.

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Contributing Writer

The Los Padres Council hosted a lunch and groundbreaking ceremony on June 23 at Rancho Alegre Boy Scout Camp to celebrate the reconstruction of what the Whittier Fire left in ruins nearly a year ago.

The area usually filled with green foliage and wildlife is now a forest of black and leafless trees on charred and blackened soil. The sheen of Lake Cachuma and small pieces of blue sky can be seen through the tangle of burned-up trunks and branches.

Eagle Scout Alex Mahajan and a color guard opened the groundbreaking ceremony on June 23.

However, the rebuilding of what the wildfire destroyed will be “something the rest of the people will try and replicate; children will be able to have an experience like no other,” said CEO Carlos P. Cortez of the scouting council.

The aftermath of the fire, the destruction and dead animals Cortez saw on the days after the turmoil, he said at the groundbreaking, “was an extremely sad sight to see; it brought me to tears; it looked like a war zone.”

At the groundbreaking, Scouts and their guests celebrated the plans for a new camp with a layout that includes new dorms, a health lodge, an observatory, a chapel and much more.

People sat at round tables, under a high gabled ceiling, and ate carnitas and chicken tacos with Spanish rice and beans in one of the camp’s three surviving structures: an air-conditioned cafeteria, known as the Frank Lodge. The cafeteria stands next to the one surviving dorm, and between the two buildings two enormous oak trees still swaddle the roofs and shade the pathway.

The Scout leaders and council members wore beige and green uniforms decorated with various patches for achievements and Scout ranks. The younger Cub Scouts wore a yellow or blue neckerchief with a dark blue or beige uniform.

After lunch, the ceremony moved outside, below the cafeteria and dorm, and away from the two oak trees. The event’s emcee, Council President John Brinker, introduced Alex Mahajan, an Eagle Scout and a member of the Scouting honor society Order of the Arrow.

And in a loud, robust voice, Alex ordered four young members of a color guard to march the American flag to the spot of the ceremonial dig.

The Whittier Fire destroyed most of the buildings at Rancho Alegre, which will now be rebuilt.

They posted the flag, then Alex led the audience in the pledge of allegiance and a prayer.

“I’m impressed with this Eagle Scout,” Brinker said.

Alex also talked about the camp being a significant part of his childhood.

“When I saw the camp, it really struck a chord with me; part of my childhood went up in smoke,” he said.

He and other Scouts were in a meeting at Rancho Alegre the day the fire broke out, “and two hours after the meeting the camp was one big pile of ash,” he said.

To close the event, Alex led the ceremonial first turning of dirt.

Holding shovels were Council CEO Cortez, major donor and fundraiser Bill Wright, council vice president Laurie Tamura and Scout leader Tre Pinner.

On Alex’s cadence, each participant stabbed the earth with a shovel and pulled out a chunk of dirt, marking the start of reconstruction.

As for the area’s natural progression, Cortez said, he recently saw a deer and a flock of wild turkeys amble through the camp. He also saw the carcass of a deer that appeared to have become food for a triumphant mountain lion.

“Nature is diligent,” he said. “It’s the circle of life.”

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The Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge No. 2640 has named Santa Barbara Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Farris as its Citizen of the Year.

“Mr. Farris’ bravery and leadership from fire to mudslides made this a very easy decision for me,” said lodge Exalted Ruler Stefan Ornelaz. “It was my true pleasure to give him this award.”

For more information about the Santa Ynez Valley Elks, visit syvelks.com.

Continued rebuilding cancels Circle V summer camps

As rebuilding efforts continue at Circle V Ranch Camp, St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles has announced that its camp near Lake Cachuma will not host camps this summer.

“We are continuing to rebuild after the Whittier wildfire that burned through our camp and surrounding areas on July 8, 2017. We regret that we will not be offering 2018 summer camp sessions for more than 1.000 children from throughout Southern California. Our strong goal is to reopen in 2019,” said David Fields, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles, operators of the camp.

“Our staff and volunteers are sad that Circle V is not quite ready yet to welcome back campers,” Camp Director Ray Lopez added. “We are continuing to work with our rebuilding crews and look forward to opening as soon as we can in 2019. We thank everyone for their continued patience and support.”

The Whittier wildfire began on July 8, 2017, burning throughout the camp and surrounding areas. Circle V lost its water system and many buildings.

Donations to help in rebuilding can be made at www.svdpla.org/donate/rebuild-camp.

State cattlemen group endorses Justin Fareed

Republican candidate Justin Fareed in California’s 24th Congressional District has received the endorsement of the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA).

“The ranching community would be proud to have you as our representative and our ally in the halls of Congress,” said CCA President Dave Daly.

“As a third-generation California rancher, I am honored to have the support of such an esteemed organization,” Fareed said.

Fareed cited the importance of Central Coast agriculture as a $3.8 billion industry that brings more 40,000 jobs to the region.

“I am firmly committed to presenting solutions in Washington that help create jobs on the Central Coast and to reining in burdensome regulations to afford family farmers and ranchers the opportunity to thrive,” he said.

Fareed also is president of a small business in Santa Barbara, Proband Sports Industries. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science and worked for a senior member of Congress, where he handled various matters pertaining to foreign relations, small business, agriculture, commerce, manufacturing and trade.

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The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation has presented a check for $20,000 to Camp Whittier, which is operated by the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County.

The funds will help rebuild Camp Whittier, a 55-acre resident camp near Lake Cachuma in the Santa Ynez Valley, which sustained extensive damage in last summer’s Whittier Fire. The fire burned 18,430 acres and destroyed 16 homes.

“Sunrise Rotary has been a tremendous partner in helping us up at Camp Whittier. Over the years, their members have done work on virtually every building on the grounds,” said Michael Baker, CEO of the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County.

“Their support means the world to me as a club professional, but more importantly as a 27-year Rotarian,” Baker said.

The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise has been providing improvements annually to the camp for 21 years.

Rotarians have installed irrigation systems, remodeled the kitchen and restrooms, built decks and fire pits, painted cabins and fences, planted trees and flower beds, and just last year finished improvements to the sports court.

Camp Whittier’s facilities, counseling and training are offered to the 3,000 boys and girls it serves in the county, as well as to schools, churches and other youth organizations.

Staff members at Camp Whittier instruct youngsters on camping and survival skills and use the camp’s rope course to teach cooperation, communication and self-confidence.

Santa Barbara Sunrise Rotary Club is also active in other service projects, including a free dental clinic that provides critical care to underserved people.

The club buys and distributes free dictionaries to all third-graders in the Santa Barbara Unified School District and recognizes at-risk youth at La Cuesta Continuation High School with a Student of the Month program.

Internationally, the club supports a children’s orphanage and surgical eye clinics in Mexico, in addition to funding clean-water projects, medical-clinic improvements, and a pharmacy project in two rural communities in Nicaragua.

For more information, call 884-6428 or visit portal.clubrunner.ca/2855

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When David Dahlberg, a U.S. Forest Service fire prevention technician stationed in Santa Maria, braved flames and smoke to rescue campers and staff at Circle V Ranch Camp in July, he had no idea he would be honored six months later during President Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress.

“David faced down walls of flame to rescue almost 60 children trapped at a California summer camp threatened by wildfires,” Trump said during his address in January, as Dahlberg stood up in the balcony to receive applause.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Circle V Ranch Camp & Retreat Center at 2550 Highway 154 across from Cachuma Lake has been located on the 30 acres in Los Padres National Forest since 1990.

On July 8, the Whittier wildfire began nearby and burned through the camp, but all 88 campers and 36 staff members in residence at that time were evacuated safely by heroic first responders, staff and volunteers.

“We are thrilled that Dave’s heroic efforts are being recognized during the 2018 State of the Union address …  We continue to extend our gratitude to Dave and all our guardian angels that helped rescue the remaining 58 children campers and 24 adult staff, during the wildfire that day,” said David Fields, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Circle V Ranch Camp incurred major damages from the Whittier Fire, including the destruction of its water system. Camp officials are in the process of cleaning up and rebuilding, and they welcome donations at svdpla.org/donate/rebuild-camp.

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