Categories: Big Sur

After the Fires…

My latest writing for Voices is in the week’s issue, which is jam packed full of interesting articles.

East Side by Rock Knocker

The fires that have shaped our lives this summer are over. The rains finally came, and they were gentle, but our worries are not over. Just like after the Soberanes Fire in 2016, the lives of Big Sur residents will now be dictated by the burn scars, debris flows and road closures which come after a wildfire. This is just the first winter. We will have to be vigilant for several years before there is recovery.

This was on many minds as I started my inquiries of the U.S. Forest Service and Monterey County Public Works Department this past week. There is a strong likelihood that Big Sur will be divided into islands for a time — how many islands and for how long is anyone’s guess.

bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

View Comments

  • My heart and soul goes out to all of you as winter rains approach. Always so terrible. Lived through many winters of isolation from a normal winter. The fire damage so close to the highway will be heartbreaking this year. My prayers go out to everyone, especially the road crews who put themselves in harm's way to open the road as quickly as possible.

Recent Posts

Traffic Light to be installed at Rocky Creek Bridge

Note: the current expectation is that this light will be active thru the 2028 Big…

2 days ago

Memorial Day, 2026

To all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our county, and an apology for…

3 days ago

Photo Sunday, 5/24/26

Not really a photo, but I like this. Created by See Monterey. Slogan by Kate…

4 days ago

Official County Statement re Parking at Bixby Bridge

Monterey County Board of Supervisors Fact Sheet: Bixby Bridge Parking Moratorium Meeting Date: Tuesday, May…

6 days ago

Nightmare at Bixby…coming to a screen near you

Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of the summer tourist season is almost upon us. Tuesday…

1 week ago

Sunday Photos, 5/17/26

What recovery after a wildfire looks like, six years later…

2 weeks ago

This website uses cookies.