Sun Gap Farm Restoration Fund
0% complete
$24,605 raised of $50K
124 donations
Six years after losing the “Red Baita” cabin in the CZU Lightning Complex Fires, I am finally ready to rebuild with approved permits in hand. While I have saved enough to begin construction, bridging the remaining gap requires creativity, perseverance, and community support. I am reaching out to ask for your help in reaching the next critical milestone: building the outer shell of the house—the foundation, framing, exterior walls, roof, and windows—over the coming year. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly fuels this progress.
The fire did not just destroy a house; it transformed the land and reshaped my relationship with the surrounding ecosystem, including the water, soil, and native plants. Though I am steward of this space on my own now, I have never truly been alone. Over the years, I have received immense love and support from friends, family, and community. Even when I catch myself starting sentences with "before the fire..." or "I used to have...", I find myself saying "I am so lucky..." far more often.
I feel profound gratitude for everyone who has supported my dream to restore a home in this beloved canyon. Our initial fundraiser raised $17,000, which helped cover vital recovery essentials:
- Rebuilding the spring box and water lines in collaboration with neighbors
- Purchasing fundamental hand and power tools
- Testing the septic system
- Installing an initial solar power array (which sustained me off-grid until May 2023)
- Constructing temporary sheds for shelter and sanitation
Since that initial phase, maintaining road access has required continuous work and investment. When my family dynamic shifted, the process slowed down and brought heavy questions: Is this truly what I want? Am I foolish to try rebuilding on my own? Yet through every challenge and financial strain, I stayed the course. Step by step, major foundational work was completed:
- Tree removal and safety mitigation: $32,000
- Site consolidation and compaction: $110,000
- Geotechnical soil testing: $10,000
- Electrical service, panels, and line rebuild: $12,000
- Water storage tanks and pump systems: $25,000
- Geological site survey: $6,000
- Site planning and architectural design: $15,000
- Fencing and access gates: $8,000
- Tiny home on wheels (interim shelter): $72,000
Through this process, I realized how deeply rooted I am to this land. This is where I want to invest my life, energy, and heart. I feel peaceful and grounded here, and with such a wonderful community holding me up, I am never truly alone.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping bring Red Baita back to life.
I started from here in September 2020:
I am now here, same spot:
For more information about my restoration and rebuilding efforts, visit:
Organizer and beneficiary
Rosanna Petralia
Beneficiary