El Dorado Fire Update From The Mountain Top #9 -

News from the Mountain Top

September 24, 2020

Dear Campers and Camp Supporters:

The evacuation order for Angelus Oaks residents was lifted today at 6 pm. I will go visit de Benneville Pines tomorrow and assess the damage or, hopefully, lack thereof. On Saturday I will be able to give you a thorough report of the fire damage to the forest.

At my request, Jeff James, reporter for Redlands Buzz, drove around our camp for 30+ minutes. Oh, how I avidly watched every minute of his drive, intently looking for fire damage to the trees and forest up beyond Craig’s Cabin and Cabin 6. How relieved I was to see Camp and to realize that the mop up crew was still there in several places. I will be in camp Friday to see the situation firsthand and take photos to share with you. You can watch Jeff’s video via the link below. Fast forward ahead to minute 15:30 if you wish to cut out the drive from Angelus Oaks to Camp.

Noticeably in the video is our flags at the fire circle at half-mast. Oh my, “goose bump time” for me when I saw that gesture in the video. I am so grateful that the fire crew lowered our flags in honor of their fallen brother, Charles Morton.

I am also grateful for the sheriff’s department that is vigilantly patrolling the Jenks Lake Road and our camp.

May the knowledge that your sacred place made it through the fire be of

comfort to you. Please stay in contact with us as we move through the next week(s) of evaluating the camp’s needs after the fire. I sincerely hope you will be moved to action, either by donating or by volunteering. Camp continues to need all of our support and love.