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This is a picture of our team working our
part of the “pile” at La Conchita. We were assigned to Sector D which
was the most
southeastern location of the slide. Team members were able to assist in
the successful rescue of one individual at this location on Monday the
day the slide occurred. This photo was taken on Tuesday afternoon after
four vehicles, including two large RVs, were removed from the area where
many of us are standing. In the photo, you can appreciate how compressed
everything became under tons of mud and debris. In the photo you should
be able to find the boat, two pickup trucks, an interior section of wall
and a large eucalyptus tree. You can also find our team mostly in the
foreground dressed in red jackets or orange shirts. Members of the Santa
Barbara SAR team are also in the photo among many CDC (California
Department of Corrections) dressed in orange jumpsuits and yellow
overalls wearing white helmets.
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Observing the operations from the top of the pile from the mud slide
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K-9 Team members were used to search for victims of the mud slide
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Heavy equipment clearing areas of voids after they were searched
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Heavy equipment was used to clear area after they were searched
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Ventura County Search and Rescue searching for victims of the mud slide
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This shows Sector D, the actual area where our
SAR team was responsible for searching.
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A Search and Rescue k-9's assists Firefighters in locating victims
buried in the debris. These dogs were used to help
direct rescuers where to focus their search efforts.
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Team Lieutenant Kevin Hartigan describes to three
reporters what was going on when teams first
responded to the mud slide. He is pointing to where one
of the victims was rescued alive by our team.
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Team Captain Bill Slaughter (left) and Manny Garcia
discuss the operations at La Conchita as Sheriff's
Deputy Bauer and Team Member Debra Ricketts listen.
In the background Chris Dyer orders gear and food
for the SAR volunteers.
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Santa Paula Canyon was hit hard by the rains and
many of the trees are gone and so is the fire
road to big cone. Here you can see some the trees
which were destroyed by the high water. |
This is 2nd crossing in Santa Paula Canyon. It's
where the road crossed the creek and you begin
the switchbacks. The drop off is about 10 feet and
the road is just to the left of the rock and tree. |
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This mud slide took out the road up to big cone
was quite large. Here SAR team member David
Musgrove wraps up the rope after we repelled down
from where the road drops off. The slide is approx.
20 feet deep and is over 50 wide.
Trail maintenance is ongoing and this is still an issue
for access the area with vehicles for rescues and for fire
suppression. We are hoping the Forest Service can fix the road. |
This is Horsetail Falls in Santa Paula Canyon.It's now a straight shot, no trees left!
The rains created mud slides and rock slides that were all
washed away by the rains. |
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