Rev. Michelle's Message August 13, 2026

At the time I am writing this, the Big Sur Timber Fire has grown to almost 4,000 acres and is only 5% contained. CAL FIRE has reported that 503 structures are currently threatened, but thankfully, as of yet, no structures have been reported damaged or destroyed, and no civilian or firefighter injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Firefighters are working tirelessly around the clock to try to contain the fire, which is located in some of our coast’s most rugged terrain, making it extremely difficult and dangerous to attack the fire directly. Therefore, fire crews are focusing on containment, bulldozing containment lines and prioritizing the preservation of structures and homes. At this time, Highway 1 is closed in Big Sur and most areas have either been evacuated or are under evacuation warning.

While it is heartbreaking to witness our beautiful forests going up in flames and both people and wildlife faced with potentially losing their homes, we are no strangers to fire in California. I, myself, got just the tiniest taste of a wildfire scare last Saturday, when a fire broke out at Jacks Peak Park, just 1.5 miles from my house. My neighbors and I gathered in the street and watched the CalFire helicopters and planes passing back and forth overhead, while frantically checking our phones for updates. Fortunately, firefighters were able to contain the fire within a few hours, but we were all quite worried and scared for a time on Saturday afternoon.

Some of the most devastating wildfires the Central Coast has faced were the CZU Lightning Complex fires in 2020—not actually one single fire, but hundreds of smaller fires that spread across San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, roughly from Boulder Creek to Pescadero, which were the result of some 11,000 lightning strikes.

As you know, Big Basin State Park was completely devastated by the CZU fires. 97% of the park burned, including all structures, some of which were familiar to generations of visitors, such as the visitors center and the park general store/snack shack. Both Rev. Vicky and I had visited and camped at Big Basin since we were children, and I’m sure many of you have lifelong memories of California’s first state park as well.

Six years later, the park is undergoing an incredible transformation, with new growth emerging everywhere and wildlife slowly returning to make their home within the park’s boundaries. When I recently visited Big Basin, I was deeply touched by the ability of life to renew itself again and again, to literally and figuratively “rise from the ashes,” and restore itself and flourish once more. This is what I will be sharing about this Sunday in Part 2 of my series, “Learning from the Land.” I hope to see you there!

Ever-renewing Blessings,

Rev. Michelle