Artist Diane Best Loses Home to Lake Fire
When firefighters acknowledge the loss of one residence and several outbuildings in the Burns Canyon area in todays Lake Fire updates, I got a sinking feeling inside. There was one person who I knew who had a home out near Heartbreak Ridge: Diane Best.
Diane is one of the most talented and versatile artists the desert has been blessed with, and one I've known the longest out here. She and another incredible artist, Mary-Austin Klein, would travel the Mojave, painting stunning desert mountain landscapes and having some fascinating adventures along the way. Diane works in a variety of media, including film, and has even graced the cover of The Sun Runner.
But today, Diane confirmed that it was indeed, her property, that had burned in the Lake Fire.
"That was my beautiful house that burned to the ground," Diane noted. "Along with three-quarters of my 657 acres. I am devastated and heartbroken over the beautiful land."
Diane said it had been confirmed by authorities yesterday.
Diane's partner, Christopher Lawrence, said the period of waiting to learn the fate of the property. Evacuation orders were issued late on Wednesday night for Burns Canyon and Rimrock. When I spoke with firefighting personnel in Rimrock on Thursday, I was informed crews were making a stand along Heartbreak Ridge, but there seemed to be some concerns as to whether the stand would hold.
It didn't, but not from lack of a valiant effort on the part of firefighters. Instead, what may have played a significant factor was the launch of a private drone near the Lake Fire on Wednesday night. The appearance of a drone within the operational area of air attacks on the fire led to their suspension for more than two critical hours. Air attacks are a key component in the firefighting strategy used for wildfire suppression. They are often coordinated with ground efforts, so when ground crews lose the air support, they can lose the ability to contain or direct the fire. With Wednesday evening being a critical time during firefighting efforts on the Lake Fire, the loss of air support was significant.
Christopher and Diane both said they believe the interference by the drone flying in the operational area for air attacks on the fire played a role in the loss of their home and property, and needlessly endangered firefighters. "This idiot put people's lives in danger and really increased the danger factor."
"The endangerment of life is what gets me most upset," said Christopher. He noted that the property, originally purchased by Diane and her ex-husband, Stephen Andrews several decades ago, was insured for the amount of the mortgage on the land and the contents of the home, so the property would be paid, but the cost of rebuilding the home was not covered. All three are partners on the property and home, which Christopher decribed as an "architectural gem that got plopped into a national forest." Diane and Christopher noted that Stephen designed and built the remarkable custom home that is "a phenomenal place," complete witih high ceilings, and sculptural copper railing. The design and construction of the home was on par with the works of famed architects Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wright, Christopher noted.
Christopher stressed that they do not hold firefighters responsible for the loss of the home and property, saying they are a "highly organized, committed group," and it would have been risky to try and make a stand with ground crews at the property.
Now, Christopher added, they are looking forward, trying to determine what to do to restore the wild lands
of their property. He noted the hillsides are steep, and he has concerns about erosion.
"We want to help heal that land," he noted, adding that there was a portion of the land, estimated to be around 160 acres, that appeared to have survived the fire mostly unscathed. While it is too early to know how the property will be redeveloped and restored, Christopher said they are considering a GoFundMe campaign to involve supporters in replanting and restoring the land.
