New members of the community evacuated by the French Fire share their experience
By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer
Their retirement life and long-time dreams of living in the mountains came to an abrupt standstill, for Danny and Li Mullinax, when a call came from their neighbor that their home was under an evacuation warning due to the French Fire.
“As a young girl, growing up in China, I had a dream to someday live among the trees in the woods. When Danny and I found this house to buy, we knew it was just where we wanted to be” said Li.
The Georgia transplants had never experienced living where forest fires were a threat to homes and lives thus, they felt they needed to pack their belongings and leave for their safety.
Danny quickly hooked their boat to his truck and Li attached their trailer that held their large quad to her SUV. They made their way slowly down the mountain to the American Red Cross shelter that is set up at the Woodrow Wallace Elementary School in Lake Isabella.
“Everyone was more than nice and made us feel so welcomed. We felt safe in the shelter”
Danny and Li Mullinax
They along with two dozen other residents, will once again, be spending the night in the shelter and anxiously wait until it is safe to return to their homes. The French Fire has currently burned 13,341 acres and is 10% contained. Red Cross volunteers are working 24/7 to provide care and comfort to those evacuated by the wildfire. We’re providing sheltering, meals, emotional support and health services to anyone who needs help.
Red Cross Central California Blog 