#CAMPFIRE TOOK IT ALL
Hi Everyone My name is Tia Wood, and I am speaking for me and my whole family. We were a part of the Camp Fire that struck Paradise Ca and the surrounding areas. Our morning started on the 8th of Novemeber, like any other morning. My husband had just dropped me off at work at Sunshine Assisted Living. I started making breakfast for all of my residents and staff.. and headed out to the garage to grab some more items. When I noticed a huge cloud of smoke, I got in contact with my mother in law who lives with us. Asking her to find out any info she could. I continued with my work, as my manager figured out what to do with our residents. About the same time my manager returned, I got a call from my husband. "We need to evacuate NOW. I'm grabbing the battery to our truck, and the dogs, we are leaving..." thats when the phone went dead.. I hurried and got all my residents ready to leave. Trying my best to keep in contact with my beloved. The power went off around 830am and we lost service. I was separated from my husband, daughter, son, and mother in law. I had to keep my calm, to get my residents out calmly. We were able to get all our residents in to cars, with the fire at our back. I have no license, but jumped in the driver's seat, and made my way out following the Sunshine crew. About 11am, and getting turned around twice. The fire was closing in. One of our managers was out of gas. We took all residents from her car in to mine. 12 residents huddled together in a van. Continuing to escape. All while trying to keep it together, not knowing if my family had made it out. I made it to Gridley with my residents. Tried calling my husband. Huddled in a corner behind a gas station, so my residents wouldn't see me cry. He answered, crying..terrified saying "I love you, I don't think were going to make it out, I've tried putting the fire out on our home..but there is no water. I watched our home burn to the ground. I'm scared love, we are surrounded by fire..and the firefighters won't let us leave the Optimo parking lot.I adore you." I lost it. They were trapped across the street from our home..watching it burn to the ground. With nothing he could do, begging and pleading with firefighters to save it, and our chickens and ducks. My husband was able to save one singed chicken. Who we were able to bring to a nice women who would take care of her until she's healed. Renamed : Olive the Fire runner. They had no way out, were literally trapped.. all i could think, was *My family is going to be burned alive, and I'm not with them in there last few mintues* I just kept apologizing over and over for not being with them. Begging and pleading for their safety. We got disconnected, I wiped my tears, and went on my way to bathroom each resident.. repositioning. Making them as comfortable as possible. We got back in the car and headed to a hotel set up by my boss in Redding CA the trip was long, grueling, and uncomfortable. A lot of my residents did not understand what was happening. All of us trying to stay calm. By 6pm, almost to Redding.. with spotty service, and very few messages to my husband. I recieved a call. My Husband was in his truck with our 3 dogs, and family. Headed out to Marysville, firefighters were finally able to scrape their way out..anyone who was able. Needed to get in their car and go NOW. Brandyn my husband was able to save our car by continuing to move it away from flames multiple times, inhaling smoke. It was the only thing, besides our lives and 1 photo. That they were able to save. By 7pm that evening a little over 12hrs since the fire started. My family was SAFE and in Marysville with family friends. I was in Redding safe with my residents. We were separated, but we were safe. I cared for my 6 residents, in 2 separate rooms, all night. Till about 10am on the 9th of November, until my residents were reestablished in care homes in surrounding areas in Redding. My husband was on his way with a friend, to be reunited with me.. we just wanted to be in each other's arms. Make our safety real. While I waited excited to see him, my friend writes, saying they had to stop in Redbluff at the hospital. My husband couldn't breath! Another hour went by, he was told he has PTSD from the fire and was having and anxiety attack, and smoke inhalation. After another 30mins we were reunited. Crying and holding each other. Now, we have made our way to Hemet CA where my sister in law is nice enough to make room for the 4 of us and 3 dogs. With her dog, husband, and 3kids. We are making it work. We have recieved many clothes donations from friends, of old clothes they are not using. There is still much we need to rebuild. Our truck is on its last legs.. and soon we will need a new car to get around, and continue to look for work.. and a new home to start over. We are saving for the future of the Wood Family. Anything will help. Just know everything is appreciated from the bottom of our hearts, and touches us more than you will ever know.