Oak Fire - Deer Haven Ranch

While my son and I were visiting my mom, Kit Batres, we had to evacuate their beloved ranch, affectionally called Deer Haven, due to the Oak Fire. Around 3 PM, we looked over the ridge to see a massive cloud of smoke and choppers overhead. We gathered the kids, the pets and whatever belongs we could think of and drove off in under 30 min. Currently, the fire is 15,000 acres, 0% contained, and it's still unsafe to travel there. We've heard a possibility that some structures may still be standing on their road, but the extent of the damage and risk due to the fire's proximity is still unknown, not to mention all the animals that also call this their home.

Kit and Rob are safe but could only gather minimal belongings due to the fire's proximity and rapid rate of spread. We don’t know their financial needs in the upcoming days and months, but we know they are likely to be substantial. If, by some miracle, the structures survive, there will likely still be many repairs involved, especially from smoke damage and clean-up.

We will update this page as we find out more information about their house and land status. Any donations not needed for the ranch repairs/rebuilding will be reallocated to residents of Mariposa impacted by Oak Fire. Kit is an avid animal lover and would also like to see any unused donations be designated to helping animals injured during this terrible tragedy.

Please share and contribute if you can. We appreciate everyone who has reached out with their love and support. Again, we will continue to update this page once it is safe to visit the area. Thank you all so much.