Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/748197
Local Ar tists Assist Soberanes Fire Victims B Y B R E T T W I L B U R Local Ar tists Assist Soberanes Fire Victims Out of the Ashes C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 6 183 O On July 22, 2016, an illegal campfire in Big Sur's Garra- pata State Park started what is now the costliest wildfire in California history. The Soberanes Fire, at press time, was 100 percent contained, though still smoldering, after burning for almost 3 months, consuming more than 132,000 acres and costing around $229 million to control. The devastating fire choked residents and visitors with smoke (at times with air quality more unhealthy than in Beijing), tragically cost bulldozer operator Robert Reagan his life, cut off access to many Big Sur businesses and schools, and burned down 57 homes and 11 outbuildings. What is most astounding, however, is the good that has come out of it. Local children immediately held bake sales, Big Sur children were relocat- ed to Carmel schools, people opened up their private homes to displaced residents from the heavily hit Palo Colorado Canyon area, chefs donated food and wine to fundraisers and to feed firefighters and displaced resi- dents, local hotels gave out free rooms, indi viduals donated clothing, blan- kets, food, and a GoFundMe site was set up for Reagan's family. Local artists who are inspired by the affected wilderness felt the tragedy hit hard. Painter Erin Gafill grew up on the grounds of Big Sur's iconic Nepenthe Restaurant. She describes the fear the fire unleashed on the community. "I think the visual experience of seeing the flames and columns of smoke is on a primal level," she says. "Your life is in danger." Gafill was an early responder to fundraising efforts, and with the help of her husband, photographer Tom Birmingham, began selling prints of some of her Big Sur pieces. Within weeks, she donated $35,000 to the Coast Property Owners Association. "In the moment it is hap pening, there is nothing you can do to stop it," "Big Sur Dreaming" by Big Sur artist Erin Gafill was issued in two editions to raise over $35,000 for those rebuilding after the Soberanes Fire.