Some of the heroes in reducing loss of life from California’s deadliest wildfire may not be who you think they are.

As I landed in Sacramento, I could already smell the smoke and immediately got a headache as a result. I quickly put on a mask and joined my colleagues in baggage claim. However, the smell still lingered as did the realization of what awaits us in Chico. No one really said much, but we could tell that we were all asking ourselves the same question; “what did we get ourselves into this time?”

Camp Fire - Satellite Image (Courtesy of GTU)

We were still over 80 miles from where the most devastating wildfire in California history destroyed almost 20,000 structures, displaced over 56,000 residents and took the lives of at least 85 people a week earlier. We were there as Red Cross volunteers to help the thousands of victims who lost everything. And I mean everything!. Most of those who made it out alive only had a matter of minutes to maybe grab their purse or wallet, and hopefully their pets, and literally drive or run for their lives. We see this type of split-second, life-or-death drama unfold on TV all the time, but this was as real as real can get.

As we headed to the Red Cross staff shelter at a local church, we all knew what it meant to be a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer on deployment to another disaster. It meant sleeping on hard cots with dozens of other snoring volunteers. Scrambling to find an open toilet, sink or shower when needed. Eating what ever was available from the Salvation Army or other partners tasked with feeding staff and clients. We knew it would be another two weeks before we could go back to all the comforts of home, but a least we had a home to go back to. Our job for the next couple of weeks was to try and help the numerous victims from Paradise, Concow and the other impacted areas in Butte county begin their long journey on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, when you were living in paradise (hence the name), and have lost virtually everything, there will never be a full recovery.

As we drove north toward Chico, CA the next morning, the smoke was still thick. Even though there were clear skies above the smoke, you could look directly at the sun without even squinting. It just looked like an orange basketball floating in the sky. With all the reports of toxic smoke, a norovirus outbreak and the fire still only 35% contained, my family was concerned about my safety. I assured them there was nothing life-threatening where I was going in Chico and I could recover from smoke, viruses or other hazards after a short time. Given this, along with all the praise I received from locals when they saw my Red Cross vest, I was feeling fairly proud of the sacrifices I was about to make. However, I soon realized the inconveniences I’m enduring for a couple of weeks was trivial compared to the risks and sacrifices of the people I met next. That’s when I met the unsung heroes of Paradise!

One of the first heroes I met was Bill. He is 69, living on minimum social security in a mobile home in Paradise. When he was told he had minutes to evacuate and saw the fire rapidly approaching, his first thought was; “what about Kathryn?”.  She was his 90 year old neighbor that would have difficulty moving quickly. When he found Kathryn, she was still trying to get her cats into the carrier. The cats could sense the impending danger and would not come out of hiding. Bill convinced her they would find their way to safety when needed and then helped her get out in the nick of time. If she continued trying to save the cats, she would not have made it herself.

Another hero was Tony. Even though he lost most of his belongings (e.g., cars, tools, sound equipment) on his property, he stayed to help his neighbors save what they could. The fire wasn’t as ravenous in their neighborhood, so shovels and hoses could actually help. He then went to areas less fortunate than his to see if he could help others. That’s where he found his god-mother. Her home was gone and you could see where the fire burned her car in the driveway. When he looked in the car, there she was. Still alive, but in shock. He was able to get her to the hospital in time.

Don told me how he had to abandon his car and escape on foot as burning timbers were falling on him during the last couple of miles. The reason he didn’t get out sooner was because he stayed longer than he should to ensure his neighbors knew they had to leave ASAP. His bravery nearly cost him his life. I listened closely while Desmond describe why he felt concern and compassion to also notify his neighbors before escaping with minutes to spare. Seeing others passed them by, Tamatha told me why she felt compelled to pick up people who were trying to walk down Skyway Rd as flames engulfed both sides of the road. I heard both heroic and horrific stories from dozens of victims of this tragedy that I will never forget.

What I found just as amazing as the heart-wrenching stories I heard every day, was the hope, strength and fellowship these victims provided one another even after that hellish day. People in Red Cross shelters are there because they have no other choice. It’s usually 100-200 people in one large room living on hard cots with just the clothes they were wearing when they fled. Even though there were a lot of different groups donating food, clothes and other items, the one thing no one could provide quickly was a place for them to live. Many were 60+ and barely getting by with minimum social security so they had no insurance. FEMA and other programs can help, but it takes weeks and it will never replace everything they lost and they know it. However, most were eager to help others in the same situation with kindness and encouragement when needed. Again, these are the unsung heroes of Paradise, both during and after that tragic day.

When we see news stories about these types of disasters they typically focus on how the first responders risked their lives to save the victims. I agree that the bravery of Butte County Sheriff deputies, Cal Fire firefighters and many others should be highly commended for going head-on into that inferno to notify residents and rescue those who needed help. However, we don’t usually hear about the little acts of bravery and kindness that also saved lives and continues to bring hope to those that need it. Being so moved by all these first-hand experiences and split-second decisions that made such a positive impact, I felt compelled to make some of their stories heard.

Dramatic events can bring out both the best and worst in people. I was fortunate enough to see the best of the best of humanity, and from the people you might least expect it to come from. When they thanked me for the help I was trying to provide them, I always made it a point to tell them; “You are the real heroes here!”

"Hope rises like a phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams."

                                                                                                      - S. A. Sachs