Evacuees Return Home After 3,000 Acre Fire
By: Priscilla Luong
Updated: February 27, 2009
After battling last night's blaze, Gary Young, Chief of the ECCA Fire Department greeted some residents who returned home after being evacuated.
"I'm sure glad they've got a place to come back to," says Young.
Like many firefighters, Gary Young just wanted to keep residents out of harm's way, but one fire department can't extinguish flames that cover more than 3,000 acres alone.
"We just had an outpouring of help," says Young, "and it's very much appreciated."
For Dennis Ferl, providing breakfast to volunteer firefighters is his way of showing appreciation.
"I bring donuts and water, and they're saying 'thanks,' no... look at what they're doing, they have been up all night," says Ferl.
Several firefighters have worked continuously since 2 PM Thursday afternoon, and today, they still have their work cut out. Hot spots, rough terrain, and brush make the flames difficult to extinguish, but residents are grateful. As one of the evacuees, Ferl and his wife are counting their lucky stars.
"Any moment, we're thinking, 'that's our house burning,'" says Ferl, "and I'm just amazed some structures haven't burned, I'm just totally amazed."
When he came back to the Hidden Valley area and saw his home in one piece, he knew he had to do something to thank the people who helped save it.
"Words can't say it," says Ferl.
His home suffered some minor damage, but here's the bottom line for Ferl.
"I called my wife, I said everything is in tact, got a little smoke damage," says Ferl, "we're fine, we got a home to go to."
Several homes and structures were threatened on Thursday night, but as of today, none are lost.
