In late 2017, I was learning about different ways to process drone photography. I was specifically learning about how drone photos could be used to create 3D renderings. It is relatively easy to capture a space when there aren’t many objects to obscure the view. It is more difficult when you have items in the way like trees, telephone wires, structures, etc. The image on the far left of the above photo shows Ashley Road in Montecito in November 2017. The County was looking into repairing the historical bridge (center of photo), and I used this as an opportunity to see if I could create a 3D rendering of the bridge, creek, and surrounding area. In addition to the aerial photos, I also shot photos and video all along the creek and under the bridge.
The Thomas Fire started in Ventura County a couple weeks after the first photo was taken. The fire would burn parts of Santa Barbara County, including a mile or two north of Ashley Road, and become the largest fire in California history (it would be surpassed by the Mendocino Complex Fire 7 months later). An intense storm inundated the mountains above Montecito on January 8 and 9, 2018, and created a debris flow that led to the deaths of 23 residents, the complete destruction of 65 residences, and damage to over 400 buildings.
The photo in the center shows the same section of Ashley Road 1-2 weeks after the debris flow. I took photos of the aftermath in this area and many others within hours after the debris flow hit. When I was organizing photos later that night, I thought I wrote down the wrong address where these photos were taken. The Ashley Road I remembered was green and lush and there was a bridge. The Ashley Road I saw that day was stripped of all vegetation and the road was covered in a yard of mud.
The third photo shows the road in June 2018. The bridge was destroyed and a temporary bridge has been installed in its place. It was difficult working in Montecito for the first few months after the debris flow. I’ve never experienced destruction on that scale. Things that kept me hopeful were speaking with residents and working with my fellow employees to help restore the damaged areas. There is still a lot of work to be done. I look forward to adding to the above triptych and to finishing with a photo that shows a Montecito that has been restored to the way it was in 2017.
Lael Wageneck 