pinseeker_11:
I don't know why I am still suprised at how much love and support comes from this group!! I have seen it many times but I have never experienced it first hand. So the night of the Cascade fire, I was on duty. Station 1A Captain. I get a call from the Captain at station 3, he is going home because his house is on fire! He told me I should let my wife know just in case. We live quite a ways away but the wind was BLOWING. I called my house 11 times!!! My wife finally answered the phone. The power went out 10 seconds later! She called me back on her cell phone. I told her Matts house was burning down and to please keep an eye out. She went outside and said it was all clear she couldn't see anything. I asked her to please stay awake and keep checking. She called me 30 mins later and said that she could see a HUGE column of smoke. I told her to wake up the kids and get the photos and some clothes. She called me back 5-10 mins later. She said all she could see was a wall of fire coming down the hill! I told her to get the kids and get out. She stopped at our 80 something year old neighbors and pounded on the door. they finally woke up! My wife and oldest son told them to get out. They saved the neighbors lives. I got a text from my wife saying they made it out. She said they barely made it with fire on both sides of the road and power lines dropping. I stayed at work knowing that we would be sending an engine out any minute. I got a call from the neighbor. She said my house was on fire! I told the battalion Chief I had to go now. I drove 100mph to my house. I barely made it to my house. My 5th wheel was ripping along with all my neighbors houses but my house was fine!! This was approximately 0130. I grabbed a few things and stayed to defend my house. I watered down my deck with irrigation water and checked around the house multiple times. I stopped the fire from my neighbors to the norths house. My house was fine! At 0430 I left because the power lines were coming down and I didn't want to get stuck in my road. I got the where my family was staying and told my wife, we lost our trailer but our house is OK. At 0700 I drive back down to my house. I had to use my badge to get past the road blocks but I got in. I pulled up to find 5 CalFire engines in my driveway and my house burning! They knew it was my house and tried everything they could. It was to far involved. I had them cut my garage door open so I could empty my gun safe. They left and I watched my house burn to the ground. I have been a Firefighter for 15 years, I have watched 100's pf house burn. The feeling of watching your house burn to the ground is indescribable! I made the hardest phone call I have ever made to tell my wife and kids I was WRONG the house was burning. I watched 15 years off marriage, kids, military career, and life burn to the ground. Fast forward a few days and I got a call from my uncle(snapper head) Bill Johnson saying NCKA wanted to help out! I can't say it enough but THANK YOU all!!! Its going to be a long road but we will make it. The donation really helped to get back on track for daily routines and school!! My family is VERY grateful! Again Thank you thank you thank you!!! This group is unbelievable! I am proud to be a member! I may not know all of you very well but you ALL helped my family in a time of need!! Thank you guys so much, we love you all!!!
Chris
polepole:
OMG Chris! We’re still here to help. If you need anything, reach out.
-Allen
Sin Coast:
Damn near made me cry there, Chris. Thank you for sharing your story. Proud to be part of this community.
yakyakyak:
Glad to hear your family made it out safe! It's a marathon, please shout out if you need further help, I'll be glad to help and I am sure others would too, we can't thank you enough for your service to the country and community. Just ask and don't hesitate.
VK:
Glad you and your family are safe ..Ski pro Jerry has some excellent info for those that have suffered a loss