Sand Fire Destroys Beloved Ranch That Served As Backdrop For Blockbuster Hits

CANYON COUNTRY (CBSLA.com) — Charred trees, leveled buildings, and stumps still burning have Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita looking like a movie set.

The problem is – it used to be one.

"A lot of old Western filmed here," said Stephanie Sherman, who has lived here for years.

Her partner owns it – a family business for four decades, bringing Hollywood's ideas to life in Canyon Country.

Sherman and her friend, Diane Branagan, were here Saturday night when the Sand Fire left its mark.

"Once it crested that hill, it came down like a fireball," Sherman said.

And while crews still battled Sunday to keep the flames away, Sherman and Branagan couldn't help but drive by and remember the farm and greenery from the Fox reality show, "Utopia," which are now, just ashes. The cabin where contestants stayed? Destroyed.

"It was beautiful. it was utopia," Sherman said.

Also destroyed, a cabin built more than a decade ago for a TV show about the life of Charles Manson.

The 500-acre studio ranch has been a back drop for blockbusters like "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and westerns like the "Bells of Coronado."

"I know people think, 'Oh, it's just a movie set.' No, it's more than that to them here," Sherman added.

But despite the loss, workers at the ranch and firefighters were able to save a lot, including the animals, the offices, and Sherman's home.

"It's not like tomorrow it's going to be OK. It's not even like next year it's going to be OK. This is going to be years," Sherman said.