Diana McCarty-Detroit, OR- Santiam Fire-Total Loss

Through tears, it is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that my mom’s home has been incinerated, reduced to ash. This was not her “summer” home...this was her primary residence...her “home.”  Filled with a lifetime of...well...who she is. All gone. We all know many of the items in our homes are of little consequence and can be replaced, but we also know the keepsakes that cannot, and the loss of those things have broken my mom’s heart, as well as our family’s.  The bright spot is that my mom made it out. She is alive after a harrowing 2:00am level 3 evacuation. “GO NOW!” She made it out with the clothes on her back and a small box of meds, documents...I wish the list was longer. The historic and loved little city of Detroit, OR has been ravaged and devastated by the relentless Santiam Fire. She is physically safe with my sister, Sonia, but after enduring such a traumatic event, she will suffer emotionally for a very long while. So many people have endured loss due to the fires burning. To wake up and remember...you have lost everything, there’s nothing to go back to...put yourself there for a second.  Let that sink in. I can’t fathom those feelings. Feelings of displacement, violation, sadness, anger, grief...So many are grieving losses big and small.  Some are still being evacuated while our beautiful Oregon burns. While we try to maneuver through the next steps with my mom, we are asking for help here so she can replace immediate needs and essentials such as clothing, meds, just anything people need on a daily basis. There are no words to describe the tragedy unfolding here...the loss of life, property, livelihoods that this fire has stolen from so many. Please keep all of our Oregonians in your prayers as we move forward and try to rise from the ashes.... We love you, Mom.  #detroitstrong