09/23/2026
This is post from Sally Gale. I wanted people to know that we are Ok. You can see where the house is and where the orchard is. They were not hit by the fire, which was started 3 or 4 hours after the Sunday 9/20/26 U Pick was over. There were a 100 families here picking apples from 9 A M to 1 P M. They had all left by the time the fire began.
You cannot see it very well, but two fires were started right in front of the house and orchard, and one fire was started to the west of our corral. There was not enough fuel for the fires that were set in front of the house and orchard to go into the pastures, but they did burn that line you see in the photo if you blow it up. That is the area between the road and the fenckline.
Fences burned. We have wooden posts.
The first long burned strip you see is on our ranch.
I want to mention that the firefighters, large dozer operators, pilots of planes and helicopters, police, investigators, on-the-ground firemen were all polite, efficient, competent and caring. Mike and I are tremendously grateful to all of them.
People are wondering what started the fires. There were many set all along Chileno Valley Road from west to east starting from the Tomales Road turn off. Some ignited and spread, some did not. I really do not think we were targeted, nor do I think that any of my neighbors were targeted. I do think the fires were set intentionally. I can't imagine why anyone would do this.
I am grateful no animals, people or cows were hurt. Much grassland was lost for now but it will come back better than ever next spring. I imagine the wildlife fled and survived.
Again, Mike and I remain tremendously grateful to the first responders who saved our neighborhood from something much worse. And to all of you who have reached out with sympathy. We look forward to a better day.
