Residents who lost homes to Creek Fire seeing destruction near Shaver Lake for first time
Many residents who lost homes to the Creek Fire got the chance to see the destruction for themselves for the first time this week.
Families of 26 destroyed homes in the Meadow Lakes and Alder Springs area below Shaver Lake were allowed back in Tuesday to survey damage, and the owners of 77 destroyed homes will be allowed back in Wednesday, said Sgt. Ericka Rascon with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
This region — located around Auberry Road in the Bald Mountain area, above the Highway 168 four-lane — was among the hardest hit by the massive wildfire. The blaze has destroyed more than 855 structures since the start of Labor Day weekend. Cressman’s General Store that burned is just below the area.
Gloria Sprague saw her destroyed home in the Alder Springs area for the first time Tuesday morning. A firefighter was still working to cut through a downed tree in her driveway off Auberry Road when she arrived with her son.
All that remained was concrete bricks and a pile of debris and twisted metal surrounded by a burned forest, the trees there reduced to blackened sticks rising from ash. Several firefighters from the area were with her as she surveyed the damage.
It was hard to see the destruction. She left her late husband’s ashes, along with a pet bird and cat, when she evacuated Sept. 6. She also serves as board president of the volunteer fire department in her community, Bald Mountain Fire Protection District.
Her home there meant “everything” to her, she said. “Everything in it was a memory.”
Her son, Larry Sprague, accompanied her Tuesday. He works as a librarian in Big Creek. His granddaughter lost her home there to the Creek Fire along with many others, but the town’s library and school survived, he said, along with his home in Shaver Lake.
Some residents weren’t ready to see the destruction Tuesday. Erin Cook said for her parents who lost their Alder Springs home, the grief is still too deep to see a place that generations have loved reduced to ashes.
“It was a community of people that barely anyone knew about,” Cook said. “You’d mention Alder Springs to friends and they’d say, ‘Where? Shaver?’ It was almost invisible except to those who knew it and loved it. It’s gone now. And it still feels like we were invisible.”
Affected residents were allowed in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. so they can survey damage and salvage items, a joint statement from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and other Fresno County officials said. Additional zones will open later for the same purpose and will be announced later.
The Creek Fire was 30% contained Tuesday after burning through more than 283,700 acres.
Evacuated areas to temporarily open to residents are zones F1SA and F1R on Tuesday, and zones F1SB and F1Q Wednesday, based on the evacuation map online at nifc.maps.arcgis.com.
Residents have to check in first at Foothill Elementary School in Prather.
Entering a hazardous Creek Fire evacuation zone
“Residents should understand they are entering a hazardous area at their own risk,” officials said. “They should wear protective gear and minimize time of exposure. … If you see electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact PG&E immediately. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous.”
PG&E said Monday evening that it had about 850 customers without power due to the Creek Fire. The company has more information about staying safe during an outage at safetyactioncenter.pge.com.
Other potential hazards in evacuated areas, officials said: Embers, hot ash, asbestos, heavy metals, oils, fire retardants, pesticides, broken pipes, nails, glass, slippery surfaces, uneven ground, holes in the ground, unstable trees and structures, propane tanks, ammunition, solvents, toxic airborne particles, by-products or plastic combustion and various other chemicals.
“The Fresno County Health Officer has issued a hazard advisory strongly suggesting no habitation of destroyed property until properties are declared clear of hazardous waste and structural ash and debris.”
Resources for Creek Fire survivors
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office shared the following resources for survivors of the Creek Fire.
Local assistance center: A “one-stop shop” where help is available from multiple agencies, located at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th St., Clovis, open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
More information is also available on Fresno County’s website, co.fresno.ca.us/emergency, or by calling 559-600-4636. The Creek Fire evacuation zone map is available at nifc.maps.arcgis.com.
Mental health: The Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health has several resources to help, including a “warm line” — 559-600-WARM (9276) — that provides non-emergency emotional and coping support. It’s staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Additionally, a national Disaster Distress Helpline is available for immediate crisis counseling 24/7 by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting TalkWithUs to 66746. This help is also available in Spanish by calling 1-800-985-5990 and pressing 2, or texting Hablanos to 66746. More resources and information is available online at valleyhopeincrisis.com.
“The Creek Fire has impacted our community in unimaginable ways,” officials wrote in a statement. “It is important to remember that anxiety, sadness, and trouble sleeping are common responses to traumatic events. The effect of a disaster or traumatic event goes far beyond its immediate devastation. It takes time for survivors to grieve and rebuild individual and family lives. Please know that you are not alone and support is available.”
Removing debris: Fresno County departments of public works and health are working with CalRecyle and other state partners to help property owners safely remove and handle burned debris and ash.
“Ash and burn debris contain hazardous material and wastes, which may include asbestos, heavy metals, by-products or plastic combustion and various other chemicals,” officials said. “If not handled properly, this ash can impact people at the point of handling and transporting as it may become airborne and impact schools and the public.”
No ash or debris can be removed before county, state, and federal agencies perform a site inspection, officials said. The county requires a “right of entry” form be signed, available at the local assistance center, and online. California has a “comprehensive cleanup plan and will be working with licensed local contractors to safely remove ash and debris in a manner that protects public health and safety.”
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 9:58 AM.