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What would you grab in the event of a fire? This is a question I have been asked but never had to face until the morning of November 8, 2018. Fire was quickly approaching and my husband was heading back to our house to pick us up. I herded our four special needs kids into the Truck and we grabbed my sons nebulizer, some meds, our Italian Mastiff and cat. We were in our jammies and my oldest son, Christian had a small blanket and a stuffed animal.
The sky was thick and black as we drove down Skyway. It was bumper to bumper traffic. Soon, the crawl we were doing stopped. Confusion set in as everyone on the road waited for what we were to do next. We were told that we were surrounded by fire and that Cal Fire was trying to secure a way out. A kind policeman kept everyone calm and passed out propel water to those waiting in their cars. Time passed some people decided to abandon their vehicles while others stayed. We were in the later as Christian’s asthma was not doing well.
Eventually we were instructed to line our vehicles in both lanes of the road and walk to a nearby grouping of new construction buildings built on a concrete pad. There was a group of about 200 of us and an abundance of pets as well. My husband Joshua, myself, and the kids huddled together on the ground and awaited instructions. A fireman addressed the group telling us that we were surrounded by fire and that they were going to drop water around us and possibly on us. We were to lie flat on the ground, cover our heads, and expect the water to feel very heavy. We were advised that because of a field of propane tanks in the distance that we would hear a lot of explosions. The fire was getting closer and now you could see the flames consuming the trees. My son asked me if we were going to die as his chin quivered. I immedietly said no. He looked at me with discerning knowledge shining in his eyes and asked if it was going to hurt. At that moment my best mama lie was shattered and I just told him to lie down and hide his head with his hood. He started to kneel down and than shot back up reminding me to love people, use things ( our homeschool motto). He looked around and looked at me saying, “We have a lot of people to love.” I froze, closing my tear filled eyes as I covered my daughter with my sons blanket.
We waited but the water was not dropped on us it was needed in surrounding areas. The firemen broke the glass of the building and ushured in the elderly and those who neededd to get out of the ash filled air. Soon we were all told to follow as air conditions were not safe. I don’t remember how long we were in there. Who counts minutes when all you can see is flames. My husband was a rock and tried to keep the kids busy as I laid down with our dog and youngest son. At that point a fireman came in and had everyone with vehicles park them on the sides of the street to insure clearance of emergency vehicles.
Between taking kids on bathroom breaks and keeping them entertained we saw our heroic firemen fiercly fight a fire that was relentless. One of the heroes ran in and told us that the roads were blocked, tanks of water were not able to get us, we were in servival mode. We would go from building to building if need be. Someone asked where we would go? And the fireman responded that this was it. There was no where to go, we were surrounded by fire. I looked at Joshua and told him I loved him and he looked at me and mouthed I love you too. We hugged and prayed for a miracle.
Love people, use things went through my mind again and I watched as people of all ages, social back grounds, and ethnicities huddled together loving, laughing, comforting, and caring for one another. Human kindness is real. I saw it as those who had never met before shared food, stories, and supplies. I visualized it through the selfless love poured out in the tireless efforts and sweat of our brave firemen. They were patient and constantly informed us of any updates they received. Words will never describe the new found respect I have for what they do and what their families sacrifice for families like mine to be safe.
Endlessly the firemen worked, always perservering, never backing down as the wind danced with the devil and the flames licked at the building across from ours and burnt ever closer. Joshua had gone outside to hear an update as a fireman came in to announce that he had no extra men to help us, that we were to get into our vehicles and exit out of Paradise on Clark Rd. It had just been cleared and our “bubble” was no longer safe. We were not to deviate from the plan, keep driving no matter what we saw. Just keep driving.
Everyone made way to their vehicles and people who had no mode of transportation were put into those that had space. With hope and anxiety a long chain of cars made their way through the carnage that had once been homes, buisnesses, and a thriving community.
We would learn later that our residence did not make it. The home that held all our memories, momentos, and possesions had been burnt to the ground. However, our family was safe, my husbands parents who owned the home and his 99 year old Grammie had escaped as well. And while that is our first and foremost thought of gratefulness in times like these, there is still waves of deep sadness, shock, anger, depression, and fear.
Our homeschool motto has been tested in a way I never dreamed. But I’ve learned that God truly does turn beauty from ashes through the outpouring of love from friends, family, first responders, neighbors, strangers, and the community at large. Your prayers and thoughts for those of us who have survived, for those families who lost loved ones, and for those still missing is what keeps the ember of hope alive long after the Camp Fires have been contained. There is so much to rebuild and as people come to grasp with how to do that, our family asks for your help. We would be greatful for any contribution as we start from scratch. However, this site is not just for funding. Please leave your thoughts and your prayers. Join us in our motto and remember to love people, and use things this holiday season and to never get the two confused! People are far too valuable and life is full of miracles!
The sky was thick and black as we drove down Skyway. It was bumper to bumper traffic. Soon, the crawl we were doing stopped. Confusion set in as everyone on the road waited for what we were to do next. We were told that we were surrounded by fire and that Cal Fire was trying to secure a way out. A kind policeman kept everyone calm and passed out propel water to those waiting in their cars. Time passed some people decided to abandon their vehicles while others stayed. We were in the later as Christian’s asthma was not doing well.
Eventually we were instructed to line our vehicles in both lanes of the road and walk to a nearby grouping of new construction buildings built on a concrete pad. There was a group of about 200 of us and an abundance of pets as well. My husband Joshua, myself, and the kids huddled together on the ground and awaited instructions. A fireman addressed the group telling us that we were surrounded by fire and that they were going to drop water around us and possibly on us. We were to lie flat on the ground, cover our heads, and expect the water to feel very heavy. We were advised that because of a field of propane tanks in the distance that we would hear a lot of explosions. The fire was getting closer and now you could see the flames consuming the trees. My son asked me if we were going to die as his chin quivered. I immedietly said no. He looked at me with discerning knowledge shining in his eyes and asked if it was going to hurt. At that moment my best mama lie was shattered and I just told him to lie down and hide his head with his hood. He started to kneel down and than shot back up reminding me to love people, use things ( our homeschool motto). He looked around and looked at me saying, “We have a lot of people to love.” I froze, closing my tear filled eyes as I covered my daughter with my sons blanket.
We waited but the water was not dropped on us it was needed in surrounding areas. The firemen broke the glass of the building and ushured in the elderly and those who neededd to get out of the ash filled air. Soon we were all told to follow as air conditions were not safe. I don’t remember how long we were in there. Who counts minutes when all you can see is flames. My husband was a rock and tried to keep the kids busy as I laid down with our dog and youngest son. At that point a fireman came in and had everyone with vehicles park them on the sides of the street to insure clearance of emergency vehicles.
Between taking kids on bathroom breaks and keeping them entertained we saw our heroic firemen fiercly fight a fire that was relentless. One of the heroes ran in and told us that the roads were blocked, tanks of water were not able to get us, we were in servival mode. We would go from building to building if need be. Someone asked where we would go? And the fireman responded that this was it. There was no where to go, we were surrounded by fire. I looked at Joshua and told him I loved him and he looked at me and mouthed I love you too. We hugged and prayed for a miracle.
Love people, use things went through my mind again and I watched as people of all ages, social back grounds, and ethnicities huddled together loving, laughing, comforting, and caring for one another. Human kindness is real. I saw it as those who had never met before shared food, stories, and supplies. I visualized it through the selfless love poured out in the tireless efforts and sweat of our brave firemen. They were patient and constantly informed us of any updates they received. Words will never describe the new found respect I have for what they do and what their families sacrifice for families like mine to be safe.
Endlessly the firemen worked, always perservering, never backing down as the wind danced with the devil and the flames licked at the building across from ours and burnt ever closer. Joshua had gone outside to hear an update as a fireman came in to announce that he had no extra men to help us, that we were to get into our vehicles and exit out of Paradise on Clark Rd. It had just been cleared and our “bubble” was no longer safe. We were not to deviate from the plan, keep driving no matter what we saw. Just keep driving.
Everyone made way to their vehicles and people who had no mode of transportation were put into those that had space. With hope and anxiety a long chain of cars made their way through the carnage that had once been homes, buisnesses, and a thriving community.
We would learn later that our residence did not make it. The home that held all our memories, momentos, and possesions had been burnt to the ground. However, our family was safe, my husbands parents who owned the home and his 99 year old Grammie had escaped as well. And while that is our first and foremost thought of gratefulness in times like these, there is still waves of deep sadness, shock, anger, depression, and fear.
Our homeschool motto has been tested in a way I never dreamed. But I’ve learned that God truly does turn beauty from ashes through the outpouring of love from friends, family, first responders, neighbors, strangers, and the community at large. Your prayers and thoughts for those of us who have survived, for those families who lost loved ones, and for those still missing is what keeps the ember of hope alive long after the Camp Fires have been contained. There is so much to rebuild and as people come to grasp with how to do that, our family asks for your help. We would be greatful for any contribution as we start from scratch. However, this site is not just for funding. Please leave your thoughts and your prayers. Join us in our motto and remember to love people, and use things this holiday season and to never get the two confused! People are far too valuable and life is full of miracles!
Organizer and beneficiary
Amy Christian-Curtis
Beneficiary