Passing along my thanks, and from the daughters for those who’ve contributed to their mother’s Go Fund Me page, HERE. She and her husband lost their home in Magalia in the Camp Fire, and basically got out with the clothes on their backs, and a backpack apiece.
They aren’t there yet, but they are a log further along than when I put the post up. So THANK YOU!!!
They still haven’t gotten anything from FEMA, and have applied to SBA, but don’t hold out much hope there, since they are both disabled.
The death toll continues rising in the Camp Fire, now up to 85, HERE. But I honestly don’t think they will ever know how many actually died, now that the rains are coming in and destroying evidence.
Please keep those folks who lost everything and the first responders who are trying to help them in your prayers.
I know that area well. Graduated Chico State and have hunted around Paradise as well as cut trees for firewood in the area for years.
Here’s the thing about why so many (and more) are missing and likely never found. There are hundreds, if not thousands of what the upper crust would call the ‘dregs’ of society, sequestered all throughout the mountains, valleys and foothills in makeshift camps for tens of miles. Mostly folks who couldn’t afford the cost of housing as the area is quite expensive to live in.
I’ve known of some who have lived there for years as I’d come across them while hunting, hiking or whatever. Knowing these peeps names has gotten me out of more than one hard patch with the dope growers and even knowing the first names of some of the growers has helped as well.
Anyway, the gist of this missive is that these peeps got no warning and were likely trapped and will/may never be seen again as fire temps in this big of a fire will have partially or fully cremated many remains. (I worked as a seasonal/volunteer wildland ff for 20 years) Add in the inevitable mudslides over the winter and that is that.
Just my 2 cents.
Nero- Excellent points! Thank you.
I’m not as good with words as my Dad, and mere words cannot express the thanks my sister and I have for those who have donated. We are very private and proud people and knowing we cannot do it on our own is heartbreaking in more ways than just losing the house and all our memories. Childhood pictures of not just my sister and I but my mom and grandmothers childhood pictures and all things that a parent saves for you as you grow are all gone. The most heartbreaking was losing all my Grandmothers sculptures and her art and even more heartbreaking as these cannot be recreated or replaced and it was the one year anniversary of her death on the day the house burned. I also have 28 coworkers which also lost their houses in this fire while many were on the ambulance working at the time of the fire. The amount of EMS, fire fighters and LEO who also lost houses is mind numbing. Yet they all continued to do the job and help as many as they could while many did not know the fate of their own families and houses. They were truly selfless and with the amazing work they did prevented what could have been even more devestating number If deaths. As NeroZ stated and from what I know of the area from working there the true amount of deaths will never be known.
The outpouring of sympathy and gracious donations from far and wide have been very humbling. This fire has destroyed much more than just a town. The trauma from this fire will be far reaching and life changing for all involved. Again my humble thanks for any and all help to get my mom into a house before Christmas.
PP- Thanks, love you.
Thanks for the update.
Ed- You’re welcome.
No. 1 daughter called, says her sister stole all the good words, but she also wants to thank everyone that has donated.