I’m a resident and homeowner on West Camino Cielo. Like so many others who live up here in the mountains above Santa Barbara, I’m in support of the fuel mitigation that the Forest Service is doing on West Camino Cielo .
The clearing that the Forest Service is doing on both sides of West Camino is impactful. It’s not a gentle touch. It’s clearing most of the chaparral and plant life for at least 50 feet on each side of the road. For many of us who love the native plants of this area, at first sight it can be a bit of a gut punch.
Yet many of us up here have been through the Painted Cave fire, the Tea Fire, the Thomas Fire, and many more including the most recent Lake Fire. We have felt and seen what it’s like to have a giant fire threatening to burn down the homes and the environment we love.