Blue Sky Center Reopens Historic L88 Airstrip in New Cuyama
Restored after serving as a critical hub during the 2025 wildfires, L88 reconnects Santa Barbara County’s
rural high desert community to emergency services and tourism
NEW CUYAMA, Calif. — Blue Sky Center is pleased to announce the official reopening of its historic L88 Airstrip following extensive repairs and infrastructure improvements necessitated by the devastating 2025 Madre and Gifford wildfires. Located on Blue Sky Center’s 267-acre campus in the Cuyama Valley, nestled within Santa Barbara County’s high desert backcountry, L88 is operated by the nonprofit’s team and serves as vital emergency-response infrastructure and an aviation gateway to the region, supporting connectivity, rural tourism, and local economic development. The nonprofit will celebrate the reopening on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
As a rural, place-based nonprofit, Blue Sky Center is dedicated to strengthening the Cuyama Valley’s communities by supporting entrepreneurs and developing regional creative and economic resources. Through its programs, partnerships, and stewardship of vital community infrastructure such as L88, the organization works to foster a resilient, thriving, and inclusive rural economy.
During the 2025 Madre and Gifford Fires, which together burned more than 212,400 acres across the region, local families faced evacuations, hazardous air quality and losses to ranches. Blue Sky Center opened L88 to emergency responders and mobilized its campus as an operations hub for weeks at a time, during both fires, working with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), CAL FIRE Team 8 and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) crews to provide aviation access, facilities and logistical support. Intensive use during firefighting operations damaged the airstrip and forced its closure.
Restoration was made possible by $90,395 in USFS reimbursement for firefighting-related damage and a $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The private contribution enabled improvements beyond the essential repairs, including an expanded parking ramp accommodating up to 12 aircraft, protective fencing and a turnaround pad at the Runway 29 end. The parking area is usable while final improvements are completed. Together, these investments restore an essential community resource and strengthen its capacity to support visiting pilots and future emergency operations.
“During the wildfires, making our airstrip and campus available to the emergency crews working to protect our community was an immediate priority,” said Jack Forinash, Executive Director of Blue Sky Center. “The reopening of L88 marks an important milestone in our recovery and reaffirms our commitment to the resilience, connectivity and economic vitality of the Cuyama Valley.”
Blue Sky Center L88 Airstrip during the Madre Fire Photo Credit Liz Fish
L88 is also an important gateway for tourism in this remote rural community, bringing visitors to locally owned businesses, restaurants and outdoor destinations. Through Blue Sky Center’s Explore Cuyama hospitality initiative, guests can stay in award-winning glamping huts, Flagship Suites or camping areas; enjoy guided stargazing beneath the valley’s dark skies or a Sunset Sips tasting of locally produced mead and regional foods, both available by appointment; and gather on the property for weddings, retreats and group events. Each visit supports Blue Sky Center’s nonprofit mission and helps generate economic activity throughout the valley. Learn more at https://www.blueskycenter.org/visit.
Beyond the campus, visitors can dine, stay overnight or attend events at Cuyama Buckhorn Resort; arrange a tasting and vineyard tour at the dry-farmed Condor’s Hope vineyard; or book an educational tour at Quail Springs Permaculture. Nearby Carrizo Plain National Monument offers expansive grasslands, hiking and seasonal wildflower displays. By connecting travelers with these experiences, L88 helps sustain local businesses and broaden economic opportunities across the region. Explore additional destinations at https://www.blueskycenter.org/explorecuyama.
General aviation pilots may use L88 subject to published airfield information, aircraft suitability, and parking availability. The improved ramp accommodates up to 12 aircraft; however, please note that tie-downs are not currently available on the parking ramp. Pilots planning to fly in—particularly for the celebration or an overnight stay—should confirm current operating details and parking arrangements in advance at https://www.visitcuyama.com/l88. For hospitality reservations, visit https://www.blueskycenter.org/visit, or contact stay@blueskycenter.org, or (661) 413-3005.
Blue Sky Center will welcome visiting pilots and community members for an L88 reopening celebration on Saturday, October 31. Festivities will include an early-morning hot-air balloon demonstration at approximately 6:00 a.m. (weather permitting), followed by hot cider and donuts for arriving pilots beginning at 10:00 a.m. Visitors interested in experiencing the balloon launch are encouraged to make a weekend of it by booking an overnight stay at Blue Sky Center or Cuyama Buckhorn Resort on Friday evening, allowing them to enjoy the early-morning festivities and explore all that the Cuyama Valley has to offer.
The continued operation of L88 Airstrip is made possible by Blue Sky Center, which owns the property, maintains the airstrip, and commits the staff and resources necessary to keep it operational. As a nonprofit organization, Blue Sky Center plays a vital role in supporting the Cuyama Valley, not only through its economic development and community initiatives, but also by mobilizing critical resources and partnerships during times of emergency. As demonstrated during the devastatig 2025 wildfires, Blue Sky Center’s ability to open L88 to emergency responders and activate its campus as an operations hub provides essential infrastructure and logistical support when the community needs it most.
Sustaining these vital resources depends on continued philanthropic support. Unlike airports with substantial revenue-generating infrastructure, L88 has limited operating income and receives no ongoing county, state, or federal funding for general aviation maintenance. Blue Sky Center relies on charitable contributions to sustain its operations, maintain the airstrip, and preserve its capacity to respond to future community needs. Supporters are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation to Blue Sky Center today, helping ensure the organization can continue serving the Cuyama Valley, keeping L88 open and operational, and providing critical resources in times of need. Those wishing to contribute specifically to the airstrip can also donate directly to L88.
WHO: Visiting pilots, travelers interested in exploring the Cuyama Valley, and local community members and supporters
WHAT: L88 Airstrip reopening celebration; hot cider and donuts; early-morning hot-air balloon demonstration (weather permitting)
WHERE: L88 Airstrip, Blue Sky Center campus, New Cuyama, California
WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Time: 6am hot air balloon demonstration, hot cider and donuts for arriving pilots beginning at 10:00am
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About Blue Sky Center
Blue Sky Center is a Santa Barbara County 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the rural communities of Cuyama Valley by supporting entrepreneurs and building regional creative and economic resources. The organization is focused on building models for resilient, thriving, and inclusive rural economies in the Cuyama Valley. As a place-based organization, its team prioritizes projects and collaborations that celebrate the abundance of Cuyama. www.blueskycenter.org
About L88 Airstrip
The Cuyama Valley’s beloved L88 airstrip is owned and maintained by Blue Sky Center. The airstrip serves as a portal for flying visitors to experience all the Cuyama Valley has to offer and is critical to emergency support for Cuyama’s communities. More information about L88 can be found at https://www.visitcuyama.com/l88
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