My parents lost everything in the wildfire

UPDATE as of 8/28/21 

Today a bunch of our family came together to discuss in more detail, the exact steps we need to take to pave the pathway to Mom and Dad’s future home. Everyone took on a certain part of the project, and we will all work together to do what it takes to give Mom and Dad a new home and help them find their new normal. 

This is what family does and together, with all of you who donated to and shared this fundraiser, you are helping more then you realize to make this possible for them. Our family and friends want to sincerely thank you all so much for your kindness and generosity. 

Mom and Dad relocated their motor home to their friend’s house for the weekend and on Monday, Aug 30th, they will be moving it to their property, as all homeowners have been given the clearance to return to their “homes.” In my parent’s case, to their property. They have another friend who is bringing up a 30ft camper also on Monday, and will be building a walking path/bridge from the motor home to the camper. They will be using both to have a little more room. They will only stay on their property in the campers when the weather and their health permits. They will be staying in a room at a friend’s house all the other time so they have a way to stay safe and warm. 

Yesterday morning, my dad went the hospital again for further health issues. I’m just glad that they were able to take care of him quickly and get him discharged. Last night my dad tripped and fell. Luckily he didn’t fall too hard but he is bruised and hurting on his right side now. My mom also tripped but didn’t fall. They are trying so hard to stay strong through all of this but their nerves are shot and they are emotionally drained. 

Today, when we were all on the property, my brother brought and installed a new power box and pole for their electricity. 

In approx a week and a half my parents have a person coming out to look at their well and see what it’s going to take to repair it. We also need to get their sewer system fixed. 

We have a person who is going to start hauling all the burnt cars away. 

One of the biggest forms of help we need, is people who have dump trucks and/or trailers that can haul debris out and people in general who are willing to come up and help us clean up their property. We want to tackle my parent’s home first, then my brother’s, as he lost his home too, then my dad’s shop. 

I took more pictures today as the first ones I took of their property was when it was still very smokey from all the hot spots that were still burning. It was pretty clear today. 

Feel free to hop on over to my Facebook page to see all the photos and videos that I have been taking of their loss. I have made it all public. My Facebook is under ShanMariee Oakes from Post Falls, Idaho. Have a blessed weekend. 

UPDATE as of 8/26/21 

American Red Cross is moving their shelter location tomorrow (8/27) as kids are going to be returning to school, as they’ve been staying at the Deer Park High School. However, my parents are not going to go. Instead, they have a friend who has offered to let them park their motor home on his property. There, they’ll be a lot closer to their property. That’s what they want. They will be able to plug into power. They will have to use a water jug or bottled water as their RV has a water leak I believe so they can’t hook up to water. They will have to go into their friend’s house to use the restroom or take a shower BUT I am very appreciative as are they at their friend’s generosity. 

I’d still like to find them a temporary rental as the weather gets cooler, it’s going to be harder for them to stay warm. Their motor home does not have insulation. 

I’m trying to compromise with them that if they allow me to find them a temporary rental, once we clean up the immediate area of their property, they can park their RV there and perhaps go out and stay a night or two if the weather permits, but they also have a safe and warm place to be also. 

The hard thing is that rent is sky high AND very limited in the Loon Lake/Springdale/Clayton/Deer Park area. I’m trying to work on getting that still figured out for them. 

They have been through a lot but are strong and still determined to keep pressing on and moving forward. 

UPDATE as of 8/24/21 

My dad went to urgent care Sunday night (8/22/21) due to the swelling of his legs. He was prescribed a water pill. He was told to rest and put his feet up. Monday (8/23/21) both of my parents went to the dr as all this stress is starting to take its toll on their health. They already have certain health issues and them going through this is making some of them worse. 

Update 8/21/21

My parents have been staying at a Red Cross shelter since they had to evacuate last Sunday. They have received and continue to receive a lot of community support from kind and caring people. Everyone has been so good to them making sure they have food and their immediate needs met. However, we just found out that they only have until September 3rd to stay where they are at, as it’s a school and a new school year is ready about to start. 

Also, it’s starting to get cold during the evenings and early mornings and having elderly parents staying in motor home that has no insulation, is a guaranteed recipe to further sickness and further health problems. Therefore, I am looking for a temporary rental in the Loon Lake, Clayton or Deer Park area for them, to get them through the winter with which adds to the expense and further financial need. 

Their property isn’t healthy for them to return to on a full time basis yet. All the stuff that burnt that is never meant to burn, released toxins that will linger. Also the amount of ash, a person lifts or tries to move a single thing, and a cloud of ash will rise immediately which leads me to the next thing they need help with. 

The next immediate help they need is help with the clean up of their property. They lost their home, shop and several small out buildings. My dad also had a small wrecking yard. It’s going to cost several thousands of dollars to remove all the debris and cars. They also need help with cutting down trees. Anyone who wants to help with clean up will probably have to wear at least a construction style mask to do so as to not breath all the ash and smoke in.  

My dad was in the hospital for 11 days a week and a half before this all happened and now back to urgent care 2 nights ago. His health is not the best which adds to my concern with them being up there right now. 

I also want to THANK EVERYONE from the bottom of my heart for all your donations thus far. It’ll be because of you that they will actually be able to slowly re-establish themselves, so thank you so much!  

—— Original Post ——

On August 15th, on my parent’s anniversary of all days, my parents had been ordered to evacuate immediately from their home in a hurry due to the Ford Corkscrew Fire coming their way, only 3 hrs after finding out about the fire to begin with. 

We found out the following day, on August 16th, that their home is completely gone and they lost everything except my dad’s plow truck. They could not afford home owners insurance being on a fixed income, as my dad is disabled, so it’s a complete loss.  

They are currently at an American Red Cross shelter. We are waiting for the go ahead to go back to their property to see if there is anything at all that they can salvage (but it doesn’t really look like there will be) and set up their camper that they will be staying in until they can figure out their next step.

Any and all donations, even $20, will add up to help my elderly parents (they are in their 70’s) start over, and would be greatly appreciated more then words can express. 

Anyone who has the pleasure of knowing my parents, know that they are some of the most amazing, kind and genuine people you could ever meet. They have selflessly helped a countless amount of people since they moved here in Steven’s County 36 years ago. (1985)

Due to unforeseen and very devastating circumstances of losing their home and almost everything they own, it’s their turn to ask for help. Please please please, can you help? 

Feel free to go to my Facebook page “ShanMariee Oakes” to see more pics and videos of their property and loss. I have everything public.