Help Susan Blake Rebuild Her Life

Susan Blake has worked as the Interpreter 1 at Big Basin Redwoods State Park for the past 14 years. She lived in staff housing, in the Upper Residences that were completely destroyed in the tragic CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The fire consumed almost all structures in this historic park. 

After work on Tuesday, August 18, Susan and Dennis and their dogs went to town to escape the suffocating smoke and heat. While there, Susan received a text warning of immediate evacuation of Big Basin. They raced home to rescue their cats. With flames on the hillside next to their house, concerned Rangers urged them to leave. In just six minutes, they grabbed their cats and escaped down the winding road out of the park with the fire visibly growing behind them. . 

A local church has been kind enough to give them temporary shelter for the next month. Although money can’t replace many of the precious items lost, it can help buy a new trailer to live in. At this time, that is their most critical and immediate need. 

I have known Susan for 30 years, quickly becoming friends when we met while working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. After Susan started working for Big Basin, I decide to apply.  I worked for two seasons at Big Basin, living with Susan and experiencing the magic of one of the most beautiful places on earth. 

Susan has made a career out of giving to others in the form of enriching  the experience of park visitors with special campfire programs, interpretive hikes through the massive redwoods, junior ranger programs and day-to-day interpretation. She also coordinated and managed the parks interpretive volunteers and interpretive summer staff. During the park closures due to Covid 19, Susan kept the park connected to the public through online live presentations and story telling.

Let’s give something back and help with the first steps of recovery. Please consider donating to this fundraising page and give my dear friend the support she needs and a sense of hope for the future. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this with your friends! Thank you so much.