My parents bought 12 acres on the edge of the canyon in 1942 and built their home. They raised five kids, numerous cats, a few dogs. a cow, a horse and chickens. My dad was a teacher at Chico High School and my mom was an artist. The home was not large but it was beautiful. Both of my parents were still at the home until they passed away; my dad at 92 and my mom at 98. They sold off several acres after our dad retired.
Fast forward to 2018. I was retired from teaching and had the privilege of living in the family home. I got up that morning a little. before 7 am. and took my little dog Max out. It was a beautiful morning with clear blue skies. Abut 20 minutes later I looked out the kitchen window to the east and saw the black smoke. A friend called to tell me about the fire and then there was the news on TV.
As things got worse I called my brother David in Oroville and he told me to come down there. I loaded a few things in the car and Max in the car. I was not able to get my cats. I drove down Neal Road with flames on both sides of the road. It was the most frightening experiences of my life as it had to be for so many. It took four hours to get to my brother and his wife Joyce.
A few days later we learned that the home had been destroyed. At the time I did not know if my cats had survived. We were finally able to visit the property just before Christmas. Like for so many others, seeing the destruction our family home was more devastating than we can describe. Lost was my mother’s art work and the beautiful furniture my dad had built.
Then some good news; my kitty Sophie had survived! Someone got a shelter for her and came up every day to feed her. Then a call from an animal rescue group and they had Scout.
There were four homes above the burned out property on Kindig Dr. that had survived. Was eventually able to purchase one. The home that I am now in sits where my dad used to have his garden.
