MONTEREY, Calif. -- Firefighters, the community, local politicians reviewed the aftermath of the Basin Complex Fire during a meeting at the Pfeiffer Big Sur Lodge Monday.

The questions included response time, government involvement and the tactics to fight the blaze.

Politicians, fire officials and law enforcement all listened as the people of Big Sur took the floor. They discussed what went well, what didn't work and what they believe must be fixed before the next natural disaster hits.

"Everyone rushed to help," one resident said.

"Lack of proactive leadership," another resident said.

Rep. Sam Farr, who sits on the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee, said these most recent fires cost millions.

"This Basin Complex fire and Indians Fire is $115 million. We've spent the entire appropriated funds for firefighting already this year," Farr said.

Monterey County Supervisor Dave Potter said he had his own troubles and said his office was left out of the communication loop.

"I see no reason why when decisions are made about how we're going to deal with the move in the community we help protect -- that we can't be involved in that discussion," Potter said.

Attention now turns to mudslides, a result of these fires and one not being taken lightly, especially by the Big Sur volunteer fire brigade.

"Freshly burned material will start loosening and coming down. So there will be places where debris flows across the highway -- clogs up culverts. Hopefully, we'll have enough forethought to protect life and property," Big Sur Volunteer Fire Chief Frank Pinney said.

Monday's meeting was the first. A second will be held next Tuesday so that officials can respond to the issues raised at the first meeting.