Dear Jessica,

Thanks for your post. I hate to say it, but this doesn't surprise me. As one who has hiked on all of our treasured roads for decades, I can tell you that "free form" camping has been a worry for me for years. I used to call the Sheriff dispatcher early in the morning on my constitutional hikes if someone stayed in one of the pull outs for more than a few days. Sheriffs often responded. but I eventually gave up over questions concerning constitutional rights to stay in your car (if I had a legal basis for my concerns). Skip ahead until recent years, and I can tell you I am convinced that some web site must say where the Euros can camp in their Sprinters or whatever. Since retiring from Anacapa School, Suzie and I hike much more often on Camino Cielo, so we have witnessed the steady stream of visitors (Euros mostly), who fortunately as a whole are not as clueless as the two dudes who lit the bonfire. This is a real issue.

Thanks for your shout out to the SMVFD. Over the years, their profile has been more modest than the PCVFD, but as far as I am concerned their mettle is proof positive. As the MET steps up to regain the people power and equipment to respond locally, I look forward to the years ahead as we become one San Marcos Pass for all!