Retired Fire Fighter Lost Everything to Camp Fire
Donation protected
I am a 72 year old retired Wildland Fire Specialist with the Forest Service and BLM. I have 26 years starting as a fire crew member and worked my way up to a BLM District Fire Management Officer. I had the honor to be a member of the 1978 Redding IR Fire crew with Charlie Caldwell.
I was woken by a neighbor at 7:30 am about a fire burning to the southeast of the trailer park -The Skyway Ville M.H.Park. I got dressed and accessed the situation. I was trained as a fire behavior analysis and prescribed fire specialist fighting wildfire. I was alarmed by what I saw and felt. Fire ambers were everywhere and the smoke was moving fast. I told all my neighbors to evacuate the park. Most family's were already doing that by gathering what belongs they could. I have a walking disability that requires me to use chruches. One of my neighbor's assisted me with loading my truck starting with my dog with her food and bedding. Then my personal documents, some clothes and personal items.
On the way out of the park we offered to take several people out with us along with their pets in the bed of the truck. Skyway was bumper to bumper with vehicles of all types, at time it was 8:30 to 8:45am. It was slow going except were officers were directing traffic. People were going by street lights at other intersections when all lanes were going South. The shoulder were not being utilized so I used a shoulder to get through town and past Pearson St. Traffic was moving better at this point. Just the Clinic we ran into fire on both sides of the road which was now four lanes heading back to the North and West. At this point it was evident that the fire was hooking from Waggstaff to the Southwest. we could see spotfire on the Northside of Butte Creek. It took another 1 1/2 hours to meet with your neighbor's by Winco and watching the smoke get darker and bigger. At this time we did not know the status of the park nor our homes. We found out a few days later all the mobile homes and RV trailers were burned to the ground. Out of 70 spaces only a RV was left. When President Trump Visited Paradise, he was taken to our park to see the damage.
I am presently sleeping on my sister sofa at the family home at Oroville. I lost everything my 30 ft travel trailer, 1996 Chev. HD 3/4 ton PU, and a storage shed with all my tools and gas Baraque, field table and chairs. I have a storage unit that has other items that I do not know if it is standing. It could be months before FEMA, SBA and insurance inspector will be allowed to survey the town. I have been to Chico FEMA center to utilize all the service provided there but will not be available until inspection are done,
I have joined the Facebook group Paradise fire adopt a family and provided a Amazon Shopping List Link for the items lost to the fire and clothing needs along with shoes. I can be reached thru my facebook account, messenger or my Linkedin account. I need to relocate to one of my sons cities at Las Vegas or San Diego. I will be applying to Hud for low income housing. If any in these cities have a trailer, a one bedroom ground apartment or studio for me and my nine year old dog that would be great, A travel trailer at least 30 ft with a 15' slip out a middle bathroom with the bed room in the front with a slip out. I am a big man 6'2" at 250lbs.
Contact me if you have any questions. I thank you for any support you can provide. My three adult children are helping me as much as they can. But a disaster as large as this is more than what one family can provide. In the 26 yrs that I fought wildfire I never saw such extreme fire behavior or weather. This is a nation disaster not just a county or state. As a nation everyone will be dealing with the consequences.
Again Thank You for Your Support
Be Safe and Take
I was woken by a neighbor at 7:30 am about a fire burning to the southeast of the trailer park -The Skyway Ville M.H.Park. I got dressed and accessed the situation. I was trained as a fire behavior analysis and prescribed fire specialist fighting wildfire. I was alarmed by what I saw and felt. Fire ambers were everywhere and the smoke was moving fast. I told all my neighbors to evacuate the park. Most family's were already doing that by gathering what belongs they could. I have a walking disability that requires me to use chruches. One of my neighbor's assisted me with loading my truck starting with my dog with her food and bedding. Then my personal documents, some clothes and personal items.
On the way out of the park we offered to take several people out with us along with their pets in the bed of the truck. Skyway was bumper to bumper with vehicles of all types, at time it was 8:30 to 8:45am. It was slow going except were officers were directing traffic. People were going by street lights at other intersections when all lanes were going South. The shoulder were not being utilized so I used a shoulder to get through town and past Pearson St. Traffic was moving better at this point. Just the Clinic we ran into fire on both sides of the road which was now four lanes heading back to the North and West. At this point it was evident that the fire was hooking from Waggstaff to the Southwest. we could see spotfire on the Northside of Butte Creek. It took another 1 1/2 hours to meet with your neighbor's by Winco and watching the smoke get darker and bigger. At this time we did not know the status of the park nor our homes. We found out a few days later all the mobile homes and RV trailers were burned to the ground. Out of 70 spaces only a RV was left. When President Trump Visited Paradise, he was taken to our park to see the damage.
I am presently sleeping on my sister sofa at the family home at Oroville. I lost everything my 30 ft travel trailer, 1996 Chev. HD 3/4 ton PU, and a storage shed with all my tools and gas Baraque, field table and chairs. I have a storage unit that has other items that I do not know if it is standing. It could be months before FEMA, SBA and insurance inspector will be allowed to survey the town. I have been to Chico FEMA center to utilize all the service provided there but will not be available until inspection are done,
I have joined the Facebook group Paradise fire adopt a family and provided a Amazon Shopping List Link for the items lost to the fire and clothing needs along with shoes. I can be reached thru my facebook account, messenger or my Linkedin account. I need to relocate to one of my sons cities at Las Vegas or San Diego. I will be applying to Hud for low income housing. If any in these cities have a trailer, a one bedroom ground apartment or studio for me and my nine year old dog that would be great, A travel trailer at least 30 ft with a 15' slip out a middle bathroom with the bed room in the front with a slip out. I am a big man 6'2" at 250lbs.
Contact me if you have any questions. I thank you for any support you can provide. My three adult children are helping me as much as they can. But a disaster as large as this is more than what one family can provide. In the 26 yrs that I fought wildfire I never saw such extreme fire behavior or weather. This is a nation disaster not just a county or state. As a nation everyone will be dealing with the consequences.
Again Thank You for Your Support
Be Safe and Take
Organizer
Laurence Compton
Organizer
Oroville, CA
