The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Miyoshi Higa snapped this photo of the approaching Mountain Fire as she evacuated her home
Volunteer Christine Rosso comforts Miyoshi Higa at the Red Cross shelter in Camarillo, Ca. Higa evacuated her home with just minutes to spare as the fast-moving Mountain Fire threatened her neighborhood.
“I smelled smoke and thought my neighbor was cooking,” she said. “My roommate came home and said we have to go now. We grabbed my oxygen tank, my medicines and rescue inhaler. The smoke was hitting us really bad. You couldn’t see the homes on the hill above.”
“A neighbor helped us load the car as we saw the flames coming over the hill.”
Higa said that this month she celebrated her 78th birthday. Originally from Hawaii, she spent her life working in people-facing service jobs because she loves to help people.
About the assistance she is receiving from the Red Cross, Higa said “Everybody has been really nice. They’ve been really helpful here.”
Tom Van Sciver explains to volunteer Carl De Bono how he and his family were forced from their home in front of the wind-driven Mountain Fire. The Van Scivers – including their Border Collie Chula – found temporary refuge at the Red Cross shelter in Camarillo, Ca.
“We just needed a place for the family to meet and regroup,” said Van Sciver. “They had all the info here about what the fire was doing, and it was nice to get out of the wind and smoke to decide what our next steps were. We found a friend who could take us in for a few nights but it was a comfort to know the Red Cross was here if we needed.”
Karen Cihigoyenetche introduces Simon to volunteer Michael Mcgehee. She and her husband Ray adopted Simon from a local animal shelter after the Thomas Fire. “Simon had burns all over his body when we got him,” she said. “The fur on his back was all black.”
Karen was reluctant to have her photo taken wearing pajama bottoms but they were the only pair of pants she had after Simon had an accident in her lap in the car. The couple and their pet were all very nervous as the Mountain Fire bore down on their home in Camarillo, Ca. “The cableman was working outside and came running to the door shouting ‘Mrs. C., you’ve got to get out now.’ He and a neighbor helped us load the car as we saw the flames coming over the hill.”
The couple had supplies pre-packed for emergencies in what Karen calls her ‘Bug-Out Bag.’ The bag contains extra underwear, shoes, dog food for Simon, and of course the pajamas that Karen was forced to wear after Simon’s little accident.
The Cihigoyenetches have led a very interesting life in their 32 years of marriage. Ray is originally from the Basque region and speaks French, Spanish and Italian. Karen worked as the first ever female chef at the Curry Lodge in Yosemite National Park. Together they have traveled the world visiting 55 countries. At home in Ventura County, they owned a lemon orchard that they donated to the local archdiocese. So, the Red Cross shelter that they were taking refuge in was a building built on land that they donated.
Speaking about the Red Cross services they were receiving, Ray said, “Red Cross is yeah, 100%.” Karen added, “I think you guys are amazing. I think we’ll keep you.”
Volunteer Dave Wagner joins Daryl Goldstein as he takes Homer and Clyde out for a walk at the Red Cross shelter in Camarillo, Ca. Daryl, along with his wife Sandy, and their two tortoises fled their home as the fast-moving Mountain Fire threatened their neighborhood.
“We were at the pharmacy when we got the evac notice,” said Daryl. “We went back home and thought we could ride it out. The smoke kept getting thicker and darker so we knew it was time to leave.”
The Goldsteins are lifelong Camarillo residents, living in the house that Daryl grew-up in. Sandy had a career in finance, and met her husband of 36 years at a company Christmas party. Daryl was a computer programmer and technical writer. They don’t know exactly how old Homer and Clyde are, only knowing for sure, that their pets are older than they are.
The couple are comfortable staying at the Red Cross shelter until the evacuation order is lifted. Sandy said, “It’s nice being here. We really feel safe. The services have been phenomenal.”
Stories by Dave Wagner, Photos by Tracy Sebastian – Public Affairs Volunteers
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