A senior ended her workday early when she turned toward home and saw a cloud of smoke billowing upward from Paradise.
"It looked like a bomb went off," Nikki Hays said.
She immediately called her parents to check on her family. No answer. After five tries, Hays finally reached her mother.
"We're evacuating," her mother said.
Click.
The Hayses were just four of more than 10,000 residents who evacuated June 12, as wildfires threatened their lives and homes.
The evacuees went to nearby churches, hotels, friends' homes, high schools and even the university.
Operating from Yolo Hall, the Three Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross opened 18 shelters, pooled more than 400 volunteers and served almost 10,000 meals, according to its Web site.
Charles McCaul, emergency services director of the chapter, which serves Butte County and seven others, coordinated the wildfire relief effort.
The Humboldt wildfire destroyed more than 90 structures and more than 1,300 acres in west Paradise, according to Cal Fire. It was one of several in Butte County that preceded the notorious Butte Lightning Complex.
The Butte Lightning Complex, which encompassed about 40 fires, began June 21 because of a dry lightning storm and burned almost 60,000 acres, according to Cal Fire. More than 100 homes were destroyed, 71 people were injured and one civilian died.
"The last time there was a disaster of this magnitude was 10 years ago during the floods," McCaul said.
The disaster relief operation cost about $625,000 to feed, shelter and assist residents, McCaul said.
Firefighters contained all the wildfires, but he said Red Cross volunteers are concerned about damage and displaced people.
"We are still helping people find a place to stay," McCaul said.
Volunteers comprise 97 percent of the Red Cross staff, McCaul said. The community support was "absolutely amazing."
Hays was compelled to act once the evacuation risk level was lowered to "precautionary."
She rallied peers in the Student Association of Social Workers to organize a furniture drive and another one-day donation drive in the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium.
"We barely advertised, and still managed to get three truck loads of food, water and furniture for people," Hays said.
Hays' home didn't burn, but she said the fear of loss and loyalty to loved ones created a special bond among residents.
"People have become more educated on how to prepare," Hays said. "But the scariest part is that it's going to happen again."
Kelly O'Connor can be reached at koconnor@theorion.com.
Donate to local American Red Cross chapter. Make checks out to Three Rivers Red Cross Mail: 2125 E. Onstott Road, Yuba City, CA 95991 Phone: 891-0885
Be the first to comment on this article!