Standing amidst a surreal landscape of ash and destruction is the Mason home. All that remains of their neighbor’s homes on either side and across the street are naked chimneys and the burned-out hulks of automobiles.
“We are very grateful and somewhat surprised that our home was spared,” said Wil Mason of the house she shares with her husband. The Masons have lived here for almost two decades now, after a lifetime of work-related moves every few years. “We are very close with all of our neighbors and we are helping them anyway we can.”
I drove through a wall of flame. I didn’t know if it was vegetation or houses burning. I couldn’t see five feet in front of me.”
Red Cross volunteer Terri Roones was delivering supplies and tools to the residents along Cerro Crest Drive in Camarillo, Ca., in the wake of the devastating Mountain Fire. She checked in with the Masons, and Tom showed her how the fire had consumed the deck in the back of the house and all of their landscaping. As they walked around the house, their feet crunched in the broken glass from windows that exploded in the intense heat.
“I watched as the smoke turned from gray to red,” recalls Tom. “There’s only one way out on our street and that was through the fire. I knew we had to go. I drove through a wall of flame. I didn’t know if it was vegetation or houses burning. I couldn’t see five feet in front of me.”
“I was terrified,” said Wil of their harrowing escape. She spoke with deep appreciation for the firefighters that saved their home and other organizations that are assisting their neighborhood in the aftermath. “The Red Cross has been very generous. They’ve been set up on the corner right down the street and have been handing out supplies.”
Story and Photos by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer
You Can Make a Difference
Your support of our mission brings hope and help to families in need. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
Red Cross Central California Blog 