Full house attentive crowd at community meeting at Buena High School.
by Elizabeth Rodeno
Our heartfelt thoughts and best wishes go out to the citizens of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties especially those who have suffered personal tragedies caused by the devastating fires. We celebrate the extraordinarily courageous efforts of thousands of fire fighters, law enforcement personnel and other first responders from our community and beyond who continue to risk their lives for all of us. We thank and admire all of the citizens of Ventura who reacted to a shattering crisis with astonishing calm and then opened their hearts and hands to help those in need. Perhaps Ventura’s greatest strengths lie within those of us who call Ventura home and who will work together to rebuild our very special community.
We invite everyone to help us remember and document our common experience by collaborating with CAPS Media and the Museum of Ventura County to create a series of exhibits, videos and stories that were Forged by Fire. The Museum and CAPS staffs, along with students in the El Camino High School ECTV program, are gathering photos, videos, artifacts and personal anecdotes from the public, officials, responders and others to create a multidimensional, multimedia series of presentations that capture the remarkable stories of the most devastating natural tragedy in county history. We welcome everyone to contribute to the archive of media and stories of heroism, sacrifice and tragedy. Go to capsmedia.org or venturamuseum.org for more details and to learn how you can contribute to this historic project.
On Saturday, December 9 and again on Saturday, December 16 CAPS Media recorded, broadcast and streamed the community meetings held at Buena High School where city, county and state officials provided information to the public, especially those who were displaced by the firestorms in the foothills. The hour-long programs aired live on CAPS Channel 6 & 15, were streamed on capsmedia.org, broadcast on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1 and on city and county websites. The informative programs are being rerun every day on channel 15 and online at 9AM, 12noon and 4PM.
CAPS Media is also producing a series of related updates for the Ventura Police Department that will provide the public with critical information. The updates are airing on CAPS Channel 6 & 15 throughout the day and are posted on Ventura city and police department websites including cityofventura.ca.gov/alertcenter and social media sites including facebook.com/venturapd. Additional vital information on recovery efforts, relocation, repopulation and more can be found at readyventuracounty.org, vcemergency.com and venturacountyrecovers.org
We wish everyone a safe and restful holiday season. CAPS Media will continue to update fire-related information throughout the holidays on channel 15, capsmedia.org and KPPQ 104.1FM, however the CAPS Media Center will be closed from Friday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 2.
We look forward to 2018 as a time to start rebuilding, healing and celebrating our community and the joys that are uniquely of Ventura.
Driving home from Camarillo after my writer’s group meeting Monday evening, I heard about the Thomas Fire on the 9:00 p.m. radio news. A fast-moving fire that started in Santa Paula’s Steckel Park area at 6:30 p.m. was headed west toward the city of Ventura, racing to the hills above the city with breakneck speed.
I arrived home some fifteen minutes later to flashes of light in my neighborhood. Small electrical transformer explosions knocked out the power and the electricity went on and off. Helicopters clattered overhead. The winds kicked up and just after ten, I was trying to catch up with the local TV news about the impending disaster. And then our area was plunged in total darkness.
Getting to sleep with the howling winds and helicopter noise was impossible. I peeked out the bedroom window to the north and saw the moonlit night and the red fire glow. Across the 126 freeway, the hillside was ablaze in bright orange flames. Soon, the stench of burning brush and buildings forced me to close all the windows. Still, I could not sleep.
After dawn, I received a call from a friend, Sheila Lowe, asking if everything was okay in my neighborhood. She and another friend, Marta Alvarez, were hunkering down at Sheila’s eastside home after spending the night in Marta’s office on Morse Avenue in Ventura.
Having received a call before midnight from Marta’s landlord warning of the fire danger, Marta and Sheila had gone to the residence with two flashlights and retrieved the necessities needed for an overnight stay. They rushed around picking up a few items including a carry-on suitcase still packed from a recent business trip. It contained one pair of yoga pants, one pair of jeans, two T-shirts, pajamas, three sets of underwear, one pair of boots, two scarves and a toiletry bag. The hillside flames were moving down the hill toward the house–a terrifying scenario. Joining a line of neighborhood vehicles, they couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
The following morning, Marta ventured back to the Avenue in time to see the garage catch fire. She watched her home go up in flames and her recreational toys: a standup board, a kayak and two quad motorcycles along with a trailer.
Cal Fire is the acronym for the “California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection”
They provide fire protection and stewardship for over 31 million acres of California’s privately-owned wildlands. They also provide various emergency services in 36 of the State’s 58 counties via contracts with local governments. Because of the Department’s size and major incident management experience, it is often asked to assist or take the lead in disasters. The department has an extensive fleet of vehicles consisting of over 2,800 vehicles which includes 383 front line fire engines, 237 crew buses to transport Conservation Camp crews to projects and fires and 58 bulldozers. Additionally they have large mobile command centers and mobile kitchen units.
The prevention of large, damaging fires remains a priority for Cal Fire. The department’s Fire Prevention Program consists of multiple activities including wildland pre-fire engineering, vegetation management, fire planning, and education and law enforcement. Common projects for Cal Fire include fire break construction and other fire fuel reduction activities that lessen the risk of wildfire to communities. This may include brush clearance around communities, and along roadways and evacuation routes.
Other important activities they are involved with include defensible space inspections, emergency evacuation planning, fire prevention education, fire hazard severity mapping, implementation of the State Fire Plan, fire-related law enforcement activities such as investigations to determine fire cause and origin as well as arson cases, and support for local government fire safe planning.
Additionally, they answer the call for many other emergencies. A Cal Fire engine and crew can be dispatched to the scene of various disasters including; an auto accident, a drowning accident, hazardous material spills, swift water rescues, search and rescue missions, civil disturbances, train wrecks, floods, earthquakes residential structure fires, heart attacks, lost hikers, floods and earthquakes. The department’s firefighters, fire engines and aircraft respond to an annual average of more than 5,600 wildland fires, and 350,000 emergencies.
Cal Fire also has a Resource Management Program. Its goal is to maintain the sustainability of all of our natural resources. The Department achieves this goal by administering state and federal forestry assistance programs for landowners, demonstrating sound management practices on demonstration state forests, enforcing the California Forest Practice Act on all non-federal timberlands, providing research and educational outreach to the public on forest pests, and coordinating efforts for fuel reduction to reduce the risk of fire and improve the quality of California ecosystems. Cal Fire has been in existence for 112 years.
When fires are in the hills Cal Fire is in charge of all of the operations.
Tragically a Cal Fire firefighter from San Diego was killed while battling the Thomas Fire. The firefighter was identified as Cal Fire San Diego Unit Fire Apparatus Engineer Cory Iverson. He is the only firefighter to die to date fighting the Thomas Fire.
Pimlott said Iverson was 32 years old and is survived by his wife, Ashley, and 2-year-old daughter Evie. Iverson’s wife is currently expecting their second daughter, Pimlott said.
During this difficult time, there is a need to know how to cope with loss.
The 5 stages of grieving that occur with any loss:
denial
anger
bargaining
depression
acceptance.
Feelings of “this isn’t real” to “how could this happen” to “if only…” It is not uncommon to bounce back and forth between these feelings, what you are feeling is a normal process of coping with loss.
Many of the fortunate who did not to lose their home are feeling guilty, “why was my home spared when, so many others were not?” You too, are not alone.
Patrick Zarate the Acting Director for Ventura County Behavioral Health stated, “a wide range of emotions and reactions are normal and natural for such an event. For most people, the responses to a stressful event are temporary and generally do not become a chronic problem. Ventura County Behavioral Health has made more than 70 deployments since the fire began. We have probably committed more than 2,000 hours and see that the need will probably persist. The Department along with our allied first responders is continuing to be on site at shelters, but has also communicated out at a variety of venues including radio and the web.”
For information about community resources dial 211 or call 1-800-339-9597 or visit www.211ventura.org.
If you would like to speak with a professional, Ventura County Behavioral Health encourages residents to call the Crisis Team. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Help is available in English, Spanish, and other languages. Ventura County Crisis Team 1-866-998-2243. Resources available: www.wellnesseveryday.org.
Text “ThomasFire” to 898-211 for up-to-date fire information.
The Lopez family Victor Sr., Victor Jr., Joshua and John were at the Museum to enjoy making crafts and having some snacks.
The Thomas Fire covers a span of more than 250,000 acres — larger than all of New York City. Over 1,000 homes and other structures have been either damaged or destroyed. The cost of the fire is more than $47 million, according to news reports, and will inevitably increase. Officials say it could take weeks or months to fully contain the fire.
In the weeks and months to come, the Museum of Ventura County will be collecting pictures, oral accounts and artifacts that tell the story of the Thomas Fire. They will be reaching out to you to understand how your homes, businesses and lives have been forever changed by this disaster.
The Thomas Fire story is one of devastation, but it is also one of community and compassion.
Through Thursday Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m,. the Museum invites families and chaperoned groups to come to the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion located at the Museum for community, activities, crafts and snacks. With Ventura schools remaining closed, the museum will offer several crafts and educational activities that incorporate science, art, music and more. There is also have complimentary snacks and water.
The museum is partnering with Thomas Fire First Responders Thank You Cards. A station has been set up with cards and materials for kids and families to write thank you cards to our first responders. Your opportunity to thank them.
by your friends at Visit Ventura: Marlyss Auster, Cheryl Bagby, Michele Gilmour, Mike Laan, Fiorella Calderoni, Chelsea Soto, Lucas Suarez, and Michele Foster
It can be hard to find the right words in moments of crisis and we want to do whatever we can to help.
Visit Ventura is continuously providing updates at visitventuraca.com/thomasfire. The page includes the latest news and accommodation offers from hotel partners across Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County with special rates for evacuees.
Visit Ventura is also sharing crisis messaging in hopes of achieving integrated communications. After all, the more similar our messages sound, the stronger our impact. Crisis messages are being updated in real-time and are free for anybody to use as needed.
The latest updates on road closures and evacuation zones can be found at readyventuracounty.org.
Many of us are eager to help. At the moment, the best ways to help are to keep the roads clear for first responders, keep a safe distance away from affected areas, conserve water for firefighting efforts, and stay informed to help disseminate accurate information. United Way has also launched a text-to-give campaign for those looking to make a difference. Text UWVC to 41444 and 100% of the donations will go directly to those affected by the fires.
Amidst the smoke, there are beautiful stories of friends, neighbors, and businesses opening their doors to complete strangers who have been displaced by the #ThomasFire as well as first responders needing meals or rest. In the craziness caused by this event, we want to take a moment to appreciate everybody that has made a difference. It’s you that make Ventura special.
We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe. Our thoughts are with everybody affected by the Thomas Fire. Please reach out to us if there is anything else we can do to help.
How fired up are you about life?
by Writer With Heart Karen Leslie
This question came to me when the hills that reign gloriously over our charming community and miles of the surrounding areas were a flame. In the dark of night, fires were eating up vegetation, homes and lives were at stake.
Winds of change were fierce!
In survival mode without electricity, I found myself fumbling blind in haste to gather what was absolutely needed. My sleepy panicked brain tried to catch up and register this notion of necessity. My comfort zone became uncomfortable!
With my heart beating rapidly, I grabbed important papers, money, clothes, food and water, then waited in the dark for the possibility of evacuation.
In my street clothes and ready to take action if need be, sleep came, and in the early morning light, the skies thick with smoke, I woke up not yet knowing the depth of devastation. In that moment, I felt safe, lucky and grateful that my life, as I knew it, was still intact.
This experience woke me up out of my every day and what seemed like a humdrum boring life to… I have it all and my whit’s within! Through all the drama and chaos, our sweet Ventura Coralier Choir (The Ventura Coralier Choir with talented director Barbara Reed is made up of inspiring second half of lifers from 64-99 years young)rose up out of the ashes and came together to perform and sing for retirement home residents. Our voices of hope and life tearfully lifted not only their spirits but ours as well.
Days later, still on alert with sirens as background, I felt a settling comfort in my spirit and realized I did not need anything or need to do anything but show up as I am. I have friends that love and care about my safety, a place to lay my head at night, more than enough clothes and jewelry to adorn my body, a full tank of gas, food, drinking water and toilet paper.
I have my sense of self to rely on and wisdom from experience to keep sharp while in survival mode. The moral of the story is…be in awe and wonder of your existence, embrace the little things and in times like this, appreciate the risk takers and safety netters, compassionate hearts and helping hands of our amazing human hood that come together in the neighborhood of life!
The artists of Rubicon Theatre were in final dress rehearsals for the first show of the company’s 20th Anniversary Season – an original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas. The large two-story set was in place; the period costumes were pressed and ready; lights were designed and focused; stockings were hung by the chimney in the lobby and a 27-member cast, led by stage and screen veterans Peter Van Norden and Joe Spano, was poised and ready for opening Dickens’ timeless tale of transformation and redemption.
The rehearsals came to a halt when the electricity went out in the building; staff, cast and crew were evacuated, and fires throughout the area came within blocks of the theatre.
Fortunately, the theatre’s home has been spared, However, previews and opening week performances had to be canceled, as well as a student matinee and a Saturday morning Tiny Tots Concert and Santa Party for young children. The company has lost approximately $50,000 in ticket sales and is in a perilous cash flow position — having also incurred additional expenses in order to clean ash and debris from the theatre, shampoo carpets and seats, purify the air in the theatre, clean costumes, etc. Additionally, the season brochure had dropped just a few days before the fire started. The phones were ringing and subscriptions sales were strong, but the shelf-life of the brochure ended as soon as the fires started.
Recognizing that the whole community is affected and that local support must go to basic needs in Ventura, Rubicon is reaching out across the nation to ask for support from other theatre communities.
In true show-must-go-on mode performances resumed on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Performances will continue on the regular performance schedule.
The company is offering free tickets for December events for first responders and for anyone affected or displaced by the fires. The free tickets may be redeemed through the theatre box office at 1006. E. Main Street, or by calling 667.2900.
On the night of December 4th Jamie Lewis had to ask her daughter Jenna, 11, and her son Jackson, 9, to choose.
“I told them there is a fire, and we were going to evacuate and they needed to fill up their suitcase with their most favorite possessions,” said Lewis. “I told them I loved them, that we would be fine, but I needed them to focus.”
Like hundreds of others, the Lewis family’s home burned to the ground, and today are left with essentially nothing. Her story about that evening mirrors many others, gathering valuables in the dark after the power went out, consoling children, being taken in by gracious friends. They have not returned to Ventura yet, but are planning to soon when school resumes. As expected, many of the Lewis family decisions are being based on their children.
“We will return to Ventura, it’s where the kids’ activities and friends are,” said Lewis. “We’re excited about getting them back into their schedule.”
How children react and recover from fires and other disasters depends on their personal experience of the fire, previous experiences, and life circumstances. In addition to damage or destruction to their home and possessions, victims of residential fire may also have to overcome financial hardship, relocation, and loss of pets. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), fires can cause serious emotional distress to children and families. And, while most families will recover over time, the length of the recovery process depends on how well families cope with post fire stresses and on the amount of support and resources available through family, school and their community.
Mica Beving, his wife Jess, and his 11-year-old daughter Amelia were winding down for the evening when they first noticed smoke outside their residence, the former Hawaiian Village Apartments.
“I figured this was just another brush fire like so many I’ve seen in the past,” said Beving, who said renters insurance was not available for the apartment building as it was too close to the hillside, and the exterior of the place not completely fire resistant. “After the power went out and as the smoke began to grow in intensity and ashes rained down more and more, that’s when we started to pack.”
Beving put three boxes in his daughter’s room and told her to fill them with things she wanted to keep.
“I came back and they weren’t completely full, and I tried to tell her to fill them up more,” said Beving. “I think because I was trying to be so calm, she didn’t understand the severity.”
As his family packed, the smoke and ashes grew to the point they couldn’t open their eyes much and could only breath if they had something over their mouths.
“We tried to pack more but by 12:30am we had to go,” said Beving who could then see flames at the back of the property and around the houses near them.
Today Beving and his family are together and safe, staying with his parents in Camarillo. Their primary goal, like the Lewis family, is to secure housing so he, his wife and daughter can resume some sense of normalcy. Beving said he and his daughter have talked about the fire a couple of times. They talk about the things they wish they would have taken. Beving told his daughter to make a list of things she wished she still had, so she won’t keep thinking about them.
Research has shown children and adolescents can react in a variety of ways when dealing with a fire including experiencing anxiety, nightmares and sleep disorders. The American Psychological Association (APA) reminds parents that a child’s ability to cope is highly influenced by how their parents and caregivers deal with crisis. Because children often look to adults for guidance, support and information, it is important to work to toward coping successfully in order to serve as a positive role model.
“You are likely their main source of security during this time,” the APA website states. “Be open to children sharing their thoughts, concerns and ideas. Encourage them to return to their normal routines, including playtime. Be careful not to use your children as a way of venting your fears and worries.”
Ready.gov, a Department of Homeland Security preparedness site advises the following:
1. Encourage dialogue. Listen to your kids. Ask them about their feelings. Validate their concerns
2. Answer questions. Give just the amount of information you feel your child needs. Clarify misunderstandings about risk and danger.
3. Be calm, be reassuring. Discuss concrete plans for safety.
4. Shut off the TV. News coverage can create confusion and anxiety. Repeated images can be harmful. If your children do watch TV or use the Internet, be with them to talk and answer questions.
5. Find support. Whether you turn to friends, family community organizations or faith-based institutions, building support networks can help you and your children cope.
The last recommendation is one many families in Ventura may need to consider when thinking about long term effects on their children. While Lewis’ kids have had difficulty sleeping since the fire, she is particularly concerned about long terms effects.
“I’m learning as we go, right now they don’t want to talk about it,” said Lewis who is worried the effects on her kids will be more profound when they come back to Ventura. “I have a feeling it will hit them in a month, then in 3 months, and then time will tell.”
Jamie and her husband Jake have been back to the site of their home only once, and don’t intend to take their kids to the area for quite some time. The family moved into the home barely four months ago, and hadn’t gotten around to securing renters insurance.
“We were so busy,” said Lewis, having started working again recently, their daughter starting a new school this fall. “We’re now starting from ground zero.”
For more information on how to cope with children in the aftermath of a fire visit: www.ready.gov, www.apa.org or www.nctsnet.org.
