Montecito Mudslide Survivor to Share Message of Hope at “Raising Our Light” remembrance

MONTECITO, Calif. (KEYT) Anniversaries are not always easy. The anniversary of the Montecito debris flow or mudslide that claimed 23 lives is a prime example.

January 9, 2026 will mark the 8th year since the disaster caused by heavy rain following the devastating Thomas Fire.

It left hillsides denuded, meaning the burn scar left the hillsides without roots and vegetation to stabilize them.

Boulders came down during a torrential downpour and wiped out homes and lives.

Some people have moved away, while others have rebuilt.

Loves ones have courageously carried on.

Lalo Barajas, who owns the Rose Cafe on Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara, is a good example.

"My main message is I have come full circle in a lot of ways and I realize that their are a lot of people that are just barely going through what I did 8 years ago so I want to give a message to thos people that their is hope, there is resilience and you can make it through this." said Barajas.

Barajas lost his partner Peter Fleurat, 73, and the Hot Springs home they shared for 17 years.

"Peter was the kind of person that could light up a room," said Barajas.

He said Fleurat told him to grab one to something like a tree and that saved his life.

"I was in a very dark space mostly I could just see darkness around me I could not see any light so it took a long time to get to this point but now I can see the brightness the newness, the flowers coming through in many ways I am reaching more and hopefulness of going forward in my life and finding happiness, said Barajas.

More than 100 homes were destroyed.

Barajas was in the will and is rebuilding the home that may be done by March.

The others who died in the debris flow include Dr. Mark Mongomery, 54 and his daughter Caroline, 22, Joseph Francis Bleckel, 87, Martin Cabrera Munoz, 48, Alice and James Mitchell, 78 and 89, John McManigal, 61, Rebecca Raskin, 61, Roy Rohter, 84, Josephine Marie Franceschini Gower, 69, father and son David and Jack Cantin, 48 and 17, sister Morgan and Sawyer Corey, 25 and 12, and Marilyn Ramos, 27 and Jonathan and Kailly Benitez, 10 and 3, Pinit and Peerawat Sutthithepa, 30 and 6, and Richard Taylor, 79.

Some remains were never found.

Barajas's family thought he had died and after going to the hospital he showed up at his restaurant.

"I showed up at my restaurant the next morning because I was just on auto pilot and that is what I did and one of my cousins came walking in with a huge bouquet of flowers, she took one look at me and goes can I hug a ghost."

He still remembers the slide like it was yesterday.

"I had just woken up, my phone went off from the alert I saw Peter already looking at the sky tyring to figure out what was going one, it was shortly thereafter I could feel like a train coming down and the earth was shaking, I looked into the creek area and I saw trees just falling like twigs, I tried to make it to my keys but I could not get there fast enough, by that time the mud and debris was already coming in the house I ran back to Peter and he ended up saving me twice before I made it out of the house, but two times he had to save me before I made it into the debris flow," said Barajas.

The love of his life got caught in the flow while Barajas made it up to a tree.

"I managed to cling onto it and get high enough from the water flow and the boulders and cars and everything else and I was just fortunate enough there was another tree behind that was blocking everything from hitting me."

Barajas said he is grateful that he is still on the planet and that he still feels like Peter is with him.

Montecito Fire released the following information about the public event this Friday at 6 p.m.:

• Raising Our Light is open to all community members. It is a casual gathering in front of Montecito Union School to reflect on what occurred to our community eight years ago and be reminded of the resilience we have built in the years since then. 
• Everyone is invited to gather in front of the school for a short program of speakers. The speakers will include Rev. Channing Smith from All Saints by the Sea, Suzanne Grimmesey of SBC Behavioral Wellness, Chief David Neels of Montecito Fire and our special guest this year is Lalo Barajas who will share his story of loss, recovery and progress since 1/9/18. 
• The program will conclude with Chief Neels reading the 23 names, bells will ring 23 times from local schools and churches and firefighters will light 23 candles. 
• After the program, everyone can gather in the school courtyard where Rosewood Miramar will provide complimentary warm beverages (hot chocolate) and cookies. 
• A search light will beam into the night sky from MUS, hopefully visible across much of the South Coast Friday night. This has become a tradition of the annual remembrance event.

• This event is planned in partnership by Montecito Fire Department, Montecito Union School, Cold Spring School, SBC Behavioral Wellness, Office of First District Supervisor Roy Lee, SB Bucket Brigade and Cottage Health.

• KEYT will provide a live stream for everyone who can’t attend in person.

Your News Channel will have a preview with Lalo Barajas on the news tonight.