Incredibly stressful situation. Students were safely evacuated a couple of days ago, some to Cate, some to private homes etc - but all out of harm’s way. Horses were all evacuated, which was also a massive undertaking. This was a note from the School head some 7 hours ago. Everything is in such a state of flux, this news could be old and inaccurate by now.
At 10:27 p.m., Head of School Michael Mulligan shared an update from campus, where he and a few other School staffers are supporting the fire crews at work there: “Two hours ago things were looking very bad. We were essentially encircled with flames coming down the mountains at the School. The fire crews were extremely patient. Then miraculously we had a breeze from the west and the fire crews went all across the hillsides with flamethrowers and started backfires which then sucked the backfires towards the big fires. Another hour later and most of the hills are now just glowing embers instead of huge flames reaching into the air. The game is not over, however. We are expecting heavy winds sometime tonight and this can lift up embers and send them everywhere. Keep those good thoughts and prayers coming. This has been an extremely dicey business and I do not know that I’ve ever felt so relieved as I felt when I saw these guys lighting the backfires and they were actually working.”
Recent update: a bit of good news. Firefighters remain around Thacher’s campus putting out flareups. The backburn the firefighters executed last night saved the campus. Some blue sky visible for the first time in last couple of days. Still too early to say things are ok. I hope that the School will find a way to do something wonderful for the firefighters who were staged on campus for the last two days, without whom this post would read very differently.
@CaliMex so am I. As a parent living far away, I am so grateful to the Cate staff and local Cate community. The fire is still a real threat to the campus, and the air quality is quite poor, so the school is officially closed for Winter Break. I’m organizing my daughter’s flights home now!
That campus sits so sturdy in those hills and yet at times like these both of those campuses (Cate as well) are so very vulnerable. I have a Cate senior and they have all been evacuated. My daughter said she heard from a teacher that the fire is in site of the school (Cate) and they are all at the mercy of the winds.
So many thoughts and prayers to the residents of these towns at risk and to all those students who call Thacher and Cate their home.
I am thinking of all of your kids in CA and parents who are affected. I can’t imagine. Thank goodness for the firefighters and the local families who have helped and taken everyone in. I hope conditions improve today and going forward.
Hopefully my last post on this. @skieurope please forgive the cut and paste of this note from the Thacher head at 8pm PST last night, but it’s a good update:
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It looks like the worst part of our crisis up at The Thacher School is starting to come to a close. My fingers are crossed. Joy and I are heading out on campus now to talk to the fire crews and see what is glowing in the dark. We will send a report shortly to all.
:D/ great news! I’ll continue the prayers for wind direction so we can put this all behind us! Thoughts go out to all families, as the rebuild from this is not over, but at least it seems to be going in a positive direction!
My daughter arrived home very late last night, with a terrible cough & sore throat. The air quality is really very bad. I keep refreshing the firemap, and the fires seem to be getting closer and closer to Carpinteria & Cate. Full evacuation orders are in effect as of yesterday. I am hoping for the best, but even still the surrounding areas have really been decimated.
As sent in an update this morning, it seems that Thacher is now in the clear. Most of the vegetation that was acting as fuel for the fire has been burned away, forcing it to move across the mountains to the northwest. As of last night, only a few scattered patches of fire remained, which we can hopefully assume have been almost eliminated by now. No structural damage was reported, and the campus and community remain intact.
Our hearts go out to the people who were not as lucky, losing their homes and belongings. One must remember that although items can be destroyed, our memories and bonds never can. Huge gratitude to the firefighters who are the reason our campus is still standing. Without their never-ending work, strategy, and dedication, things could have been much worse. Also, great thanks to Cate for housing us in their gymnasium on Monday night and providing breakfast the next morning. The willingness and hospitality of Thacher alums, family, and friends, to house us in the following nights is deeply appreciated. It has served to show that the strength and friendship shared throughout the Thacher (and Cate) community is undefeatable. Kudos to Mr. and Mrs. Mulligan, the administration and communications teams, the horse department, and all Thacher faculty for their unwavering spirit in these tough times. Without the teamwork of all mentioned above and many more, we would not have been as successful as we are now.
Hopefully, when all students and faculty return in the new year, we will be able to look past the destruction in the hills surrounding us and see copious opportune for new growth and the strength in our communal ties. These times have not shaken the love and passion I have for Thacher, but instead have greatly increased them. I look forward to seeing what we as a community can accomplish in the future and will never forget the past week.
Has anyone heard how things are going??? I read early this morning that they’re concerned about another outbreak despite recent containment?!?! Still sending positive thoughts and prayers for this area.
My heart breaks for this community but I’m also thankful that it appears no lives have been lost. Thank you for the update @GMC2918. I hate the helpless feeling from 1500 miles away. I don’t even know firefighters that I could try to send over to help. I’ll just continue to pray the worst is over and the best is just around the corner.