As we begin to take stock of the results of the August CZU Lightning Complex we are humbled by the magnitude and breadth of this fire. Our deepest sympathies are with those who lost their homes in Bonny Doon and neighboring communities.

Fire touched virtually every corner of the San Vicente Redwoods property, and the sheer immensity of the CZU Lightning Complex is quite daunting. This has been the largest wildfire the Santa Cruz mountains have experienced in the past 100 years. But upon closer inspection, the burn intensity varied acre by acre. The fire moved in what is called a “mosaic pattern”, meaning the fire burned in a range of low to very high intensity surrounding pockets of intact forest. The steep, redwood-filled canyons and riparian areas fared much better than the open manzanita and chaparral ridgelines that experienced the highest intensity fire.

The planned trail system moves through a diversity of ecosystems and has been impacted by the fire in varying degrees. We are assessing all aspects of the trail design to get a full scope of impact. Engineers, scientists, and foresters who specialize in post-fire recovery are giving their expertise on all the intricacies of a burn of this scale. We are analyzing maps, collecting data, and taking this time to evaluate all factors to ensure a resilient trail system.

While taking our first hike around at the property, we were in awe of the power of the fire, but also took note of the flush of ferns, sprouts of redwood and manzanita, and singed flagging still intact from the blaze. We remain optimistic and hopeful that we will find a path forward.