Westmont to Remember the Tea Fire

The Westmont College Student Association hosts a free community reception, “One Year Later: A Tea Fire Commemoration,” Friday, Nov. 13, from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Voskuyl Prayer Chapel. Danny Clapp, Emerson Hall residence director, says there will be light refreshments, prayer and worship along with a video and photo display.

The wildfire started Nov. 13, 2008, destroying 210 homes in the Montecito and Santa Barbara communities. The blaze demolished eight Westmont buildings and 15 faculty homes, displacing 62 students, 18 faculty and nine staff members.

Family, friends and neighbors held a rededication ceremony Nov. 1 at Las Barrancas, where 14 faculty homes that were destroyed in the Tea Fire have been rebuilt.