The Dixie Fire and Loss

The Dixie Fire is a massive fire burning in Northern California. Per CalFire standards, it was named after a nearby road where the fire started. In an era of a new record breaking fire every year, it is still devastating to those affected by its blaze.

What is the Dixie Fire?

A few quick facts: this fire began on July 14, and the cause is currently unknown. At the time of this writing, the fire has burned at least 678,000 acres, or over 1,000 square miles of land. It originated in Butte County, near our rebuilding project in Paradise, California, and burned Northeast and away from the town. It does not currently threaten the town or affect our ability to work. The size of the fire has led it to burn in 5 different counties, including Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Tehama and Shasta. Containment of the fire has been difficult, as the drought conditions, heat waves, and troublesome winds have led to at least one previous loss of containment. The fire has also destroyed multiple small towns and communities, including Greenville, which you may have heard about on national news. Our team will be attempting to begin assessments of the damage this week.

How has it affected the region?

Smoke is a common health hazard in California, as wildfires have become the norm here. Last year’s fires were especially smokey and many residents are well prepared with air purifiers and masks handy. However, the amount of smoke, and toxic smoke at that, has increased the danger of extended outdoor activities.

A message to those who have lost their home

With news of the loss of more homes, a friend of HCRN, and a fire survivor herself, had this to say as comfort for those grieving:

“To those friends that live in Fire zones who are in turmoil about losing their home. Their community. Or fretting about the possibility of losing a home. Please know that there are better days ahead. You CAN get through this. Keep taking small steps forward. Don’t wait for others to give you the answers. Look for them yourself and forge a path. But….don’t be too proud to receive help when offered or ask for help if you need it. Know now, that your life is forever changed and you will develop a new normal over time. It will be a LONG journey on a bumpy road. You will be weary. Take a rest to focus on the most important things to you in that moment, so you can make reasonable decisions. I am sorry for what you are going through. And am sending my best wishes for safety and comfort as you navigate this scary place.”

Melissa Reece, Catholic Charities

HCRN’s Response

This week, our team has begun the first steps of our response, which includes connecting local leaders with resources that will best prepare their communities for the long haul that is recovery. Included among these resources are the voices and experiences of other community leaders who have done the hard work of bringing their communities back from the brink, and who wish to pass on their knowledge and financial support.

Our team will be visiting the burn area and assessing damages, as well as what our future response may be. For now, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide as much guidance and direct assistance as possible for those affected by the Dixie Fire.

What you can do

As always, you can follow along with our updates on Facebook or make donations designated for the Dixie Fire Response. We will continue to update as the fire becomes more under control and the true scope of the damage is understood.