In Gratitude

Many of you reading this know me, you know my story, and the story of our family history in the Mono Basin and Mono Inn. My family has inhabited the Mono Basin for over 100 years, in the burn scar of this fire. I was born on the shores of Mono Lake, and thanks to my family, I live and work here now, owning and operating two businesses located directly on the lake.

This land is not just where I live - it is who I am. It is my blood.

From the moment the flames erupted on Thursday, I’ve spent every perilous moment actively watching and waiting, praying that our homes, our business, and our community would be spared. 

We came terrifyingly close to losing everything: generations of love, labor, and legacy, and we would have, if not for the amazing heroes who supported this response and rushed in to fight for us.

Every day since this fire began, we’ve witnessed what I can only describe as a miraculous mobilization. Over 50 engines and crews, planes and helicopters, and more than 600 personnel (just, wow!) surrounded and protected us. 

We continue to see these dedicated firefighters mopping up, extinguishing hotspots, and holding the line with steadfast resolve-especially along the still-smoldering northern edge of the fire. The scale of effort, the stamina, the courage-it has been humbling beyond words.

To the extraordinary firefighters, pilots, and emergency personnel, local volunteers and large-scale crews alike, your swift, brave, coordinated, and relentless actions saved not just the Mono Inn, but our homes along Cemetery Road and Mono City from total devastation. 

You protected the heart of our community in the North Mono Basin, and the heritage of a land that means so much to so many!

To the courageous individuals who worked around the clock in extreme conditions, who fought against towering flames, scorching heat, and unpredictable winds-not for glory or praise, but to protect life, memory, history, and future: because of you, the stories that were almost reduced to ash are still being written.

To these men and women: I offer you my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude.

We all owe you a debt that cannot be repaid, and we are eternally grateful.

With profound love and gratitude,

Hillary Hansen and The Mono Inn Team

The beloved local Santillan Family lost their home in the fire.

Please donate if you are able, to help them recover from this devastating loss.