Camp Fire Relief for the McCourts
Donation protected
When the evacuation order first went out for the Camp Fire the morning of Nov. 8, Bruce McCourt didn't start packing—he jumped in his truck and drove around his Magalia neighborhood to make sure everyone knew to get out and had a ride.
Instead of loading up his worldly possessions, he was assisting elderly neighbors in creating go bags and helping corral other people’s cats.
Bruce and Corinne only had time to grab their cat, Gridley, and a few important documents before making their harrowing escape, a six-hour ordeal that involved driving through a burning community in gridlocked traffic, praying that they'd make it out alive.
Thankfully, they made down to Chico, though the unfortunate reality is that dozens didn't.
The Camp Fire didn't discriminate in its utter destruction. Paradise as we know it is gone. Magalia didn't fare much better. And sadly, the McCourt House is one of the thousands that was destroyed by a fire that moved faster than anything we've seen before.
When their house on Shaw Circle went up in flames, so did a family's lifetime of memories, mementos, and all of things the McCourts had to their name. Decades and decades of irreplaceable photos. Jewelry that had been passed down through generations. Corinne's wedding ring. Bruce's vast array of tools—his livelihood as a carpenter. All the applesauce and jams that Corinne had been making to give as gifts for the holidays. Vintage baseball memorabilia. Great-grandpa's desk. Blankets and quilts that had been handcrafted by family members who are no longer with us. My box of childhood stuff—photos, awards, artwork, journals. All of their clothes, toiletries, kitchen gadgets, linens, furniture....you name it, it's gone.
More than the stuff is the house itself. After purchasing a decrepit property in Magalia in 2010, Bruce spent the past nine years turning it into a true dream home for the family. He poured his life savings into turning a trash-filled, crumbling house into a gorgeous, light-filled creation that was a gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors. He'd just finished a screened-in patio addition—years in the making—and enjoyed taking naps in it, gazing up at the towering pine trees in the backyard.
All of that is now gone, burned to the ground along with the entire neighborhood.
The impact of the fire is unfathomable, and still growing:
- More than 140,000 acres burned (218 square miles)
- 63 confirmed deaths with more than 630 people still missing
- Nearly 12,000 structures destroyed, including 7,600 homes
- 52,000 people evacuated
- 95 percent of Paradise is confirmed destroyed
- The fire has burned the equivalent of 12 percent of Butte County
- The Camp Fire is the most destructive and deadliest fire in California history and is also being described as the fastest moving fire in recorded history
I'm starting this GoFundMe campaign because so many incredible people have reached out and asked how they can help. We've all been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support, and so appreciate all the kindness and prayers that have been directed our way.
Right now, the best thing you can do to help is contribute anything you can—even $5 is a meal—and then share this campaign.
My parents are proud people who have a hard time accepting help, but in this time of need, donating to them in this troubling time would be greatly appreciated.
Along with financial donations, they could also use your prayers, positive thoughts and good juju. They're currently staying with a family friend in Chico and don't have a permanent place to settle down yet, so we're holding off on collecting stuff, but once they figure out a more long-term plan, we could also use help refilling a home with things.
Thank you all for:
- your love and prayers
- any donations you can make
- sharing this campaign!
Sending love to everyone affected by these devastating fires <3

Instead of loading up his worldly possessions, he was assisting elderly neighbors in creating go bags and helping corral other people’s cats.
Bruce and Corinne only had time to grab their cat, Gridley, and a few important documents before making their harrowing escape, a six-hour ordeal that involved driving through a burning community in gridlocked traffic, praying that they'd make it out alive.
Thankfully, they made down to Chico, though the unfortunate reality is that dozens didn't.
The Camp Fire didn't discriminate in its utter destruction. Paradise as we know it is gone. Magalia didn't fare much better. And sadly, the McCourt House is one of the thousands that was destroyed by a fire that moved faster than anything we've seen before.
When their house on Shaw Circle went up in flames, so did a family's lifetime of memories, mementos, and all of things the McCourts had to their name. Decades and decades of irreplaceable photos. Jewelry that had been passed down through generations. Corinne's wedding ring. Bruce's vast array of tools—his livelihood as a carpenter. All the applesauce and jams that Corinne had been making to give as gifts for the holidays. Vintage baseball memorabilia. Great-grandpa's desk. Blankets and quilts that had been handcrafted by family members who are no longer with us. My box of childhood stuff—photos, awards, artwork, journals. All of their clothes, toiletries, kitchen gadgets, linens, furniture....you name it, it's gone.
More than the stuff is the house itself. After purchasing a decrepit property in Magalia in 2010, Bruce spent the past nine years turning it into a true dream home for the family. He poured his life savings into turning a trash-filled, crumbling house into a gorgeous, light-filled creation that was a gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors. He'd just finished a screened-in patio addition—years in the making—and enjoyed taking naps in it, gazing up at the towering pine trees in the backyard.
All of that is now gone, burned to the ground along with the entire neighborhood.
The impact of the fire is unfathomable, and still growing:
- More than 140,000 acres burned (218 square miles)
- 63 confirmed deaths with more than 630 people still missing
- Nearly 12,000 structures destroyed, including 7,600 homes
- 52,000 people evacuated
- 95 percent of Paradise is confirmed destroyed
- The fire has burned the equivalent of 12 percent of Butte County
- The Camp Fire is the most destructive and deadliest fire in California history and is also being described as the fastest moving fire in recorded history
I'm starting this GoFundMe campaign because so many incredible people have reached out and asked how they can help. We've all been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support, and so appreciate all the kindness and prayers that have been directed our way.
Right now, the best thing you can do to help is contribute anything you can—even $5 is a meal—and then share this campaign.
My parents are proud people who have a hard time accepting help, but in this time of need, donating to them in this troubling time would be greatly appreciated.
Along with financial donations, they could also use your prayers, positive thoughts and good juju. They're currently staying with a family friend in Chico and don't have a permanent place to settle down yet, so we're holding off on collecting stuff, but once they figure out a more long-term plan, we could also use help refilling a home with things.
Thank you all for:
- your love and prayers
- any donations you can make
- sharing this campaign!
Sending love to everyone affected by these devastating fires <3
Organizer and beneficiary
Megan McCourt
Organizer
Magalia, CA
Corinne McCourt
Beneficiary
