Grizzly Flats

Fire Season is here in California. It feels like we’ve been saying that since the start of 2022, but in the last two weeks we’ve seen a number of small and worrying fires that continue to pop up. We are so thankful for how seriously CalFire is taking these threats. Firefighting resources have been deployed quickly and every fire has been treated as if it could be the next big one if allowed to grow even a little.

Just as the wildfire firefighters at CalFire have been preparing and responding with great resolve, so to has HCRN been working to meet the needs of fire survivors.

The Caldor Fire of 2021 burned through the town of Grizzly Flats destroying the elementary school, the post office, the church, the fire department and over 450 homes. The impact of this fire will be felt for a very long time in this small mountain community. In early June of 2022, HCRN CEO, Kevin Cox, made the trip up to Grizzly Flats to drop off supplies for families who are still in temporary housing or camping as the summer heat begins to pick up.

Cox met with the West Slope Foundation’s Scott Telfer, who received the $15,000 in supplies for Caldor Fire survivors. The West Slope Foundation is spearheading the work of Grizzly Flats’ recovery process. Telfer grabbed a couple air mattresses from the supplies saying, “We’ll drop these while we are out today.” He took HCRN staff through the burn scar on the way to deliver the air mattresses, and show just how much was destroyed and lost.

What was once a heavily wooded area now has tree removal crews working to clear out dangerous and dead trees from properties. A number of properties have had their clearing finished and are ready for the next steps of residents coming home. Telfer said, “We’re looking for some tents,” as he and HCRN staff rounded a property and saw three bright and large tents. These residents are back on their property, but only camping. They’ve set up an outdoor shower to keep clean and make the best of the situation.

Of those 450 homes lost, 44 temporary RV permits have been approved by the county. Like the many fires before it, residents want to be back on their property as soon as possible. Nearly a year after being evacuated, people just want to be home.

With Fire Season in full and dangerous effect, you can be there for evacuees and survivors. HCRN has been partnering to have camping supplies, canopies, sleeping bags etc., ready to go this summer if and when disaster strikes.

Will you be ready to help evacuees?