Carpinteria’s Christmas tree sales return after dismal fire impacted sales in 2017

The Carpinteria Boy Scouts have returned with Christmas trees, a year after the Thomas fire wiped out some of their sales.

In 2017, the lot was full on Carpinteria Avenue as the fire approached the area. It broke out December 4 in Ventura County and within days it was in Santa Barbara County. The ash became so overwhelming that the public stayed in, the interest in Christmas trees dropped and sales were difficult.

At one point the scouts gave in, and listed the trees as “free.” They left envelopes asking for donations from whoever would be generous enough to send in a gift.

Now, the scouts are back in a new location on the St. Joseph’s Church lot on Linden Avenue.

They are fully stocked with fresh cut trees from Oregon. They include Douglas, Nobel, Nordman and Turkish.

The sizes range from three feet to 13-feet tall.

The lot is open daily and it’s staffed by volunteers with the scouts and family members.