Pala Band to buy new homes for La Jolla Reservation

PALA — The Pala Band of Mission Indians will spend $1,000,000 to purchase new mobile homes for the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians whose reservation was devastated by last month’s Southern California wildfires.

Approximately 92 percent (8,600 acres) and 60 homes on the La Jolla Band’s reservation perished in the destructive Poomacha fire. Pala’s gift will purchase anywhere from 10 to 20 mobile homes for the uninsured members of the La Jolla tribe.

“We’re very fortunate to be in a position to give and help our neighbors and fellow Tribe reestablish their reservation; their home,” said Robert Smith, chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. “We want to help actively ensure that life on the reservation is restored as quickly as possible.”

The La Jolla Band’s land is still victim to the resonating effects of the fire including lost homes, closed roads, power outages, lack of potable water and downed telephone lines.

“We’re grateful to the Pala Band for reaching out and committing to help our Tribal members put their lives back together,” said La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indian Chairman Tracey Nelson. “It is a true testament to the character and heart of the Pala people.”

The Pala Band of Mission Indians consists of 1,000 members with 600 living on the reservation along the Palomar Mountain range, located along 5,000 square miles of California’s desert and approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego on Interstate 15 and SR76.