COLFAX, Calif. — More homeowners in the Colfax area were able to return to their properties and see what's left after the River Fire tore through their neighborhood last week.
Placer County residents with passes within the fire perimeter were allowed to return home on Monday.
Scott and Becky Ishmael said they lost everything in the fire.
“This is what we were going to spend the rest of our life (in). We set ourselves up to make this kind of our dream place, and currently, the dream is still here but the home isn’t,” Scott Ishmael said.
Scott had retired from his job as a physicians assistant the Friday before the River fire started. They were taking an afternoon nap when planes flying above them woke them up as flames on the ridge were approaching.
“He gave me like ten minutes to gather all of my stuff together and in the ten minutes, I didn’t have enough time to get everything,” Becky said.
When they came home after evacuating, their home was gone. What remained was a pile of old framed photos, paperwork, and even some jewelry sitting on a bench outside of the home. The Ishmaels learned a firefighter went in to grab what he could after learning the house wouldn't make it.
“It was just incredible some of the things that we didn’t think we would lose," Becky said.
The Ishmaels are now focused on rebuilding as they wait to hear from insurance adjusters.
“Fires will come, fires will go. If you live your whole life worrying about things, you’re not living your life. So being in the moment, we’re staying,” Scott said.
A re-entry center for evacuees within the mandatory evacuation area will be open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon at Colfax Elementary School, located at 24825 Ben Taylor Road. Those seeking re-entry need to be sure to have their ID to confirm residency, officials said.
Residents will then be given a pass that will allow free movement to your residence; a respirator masks for safety; and information around other safety precautions for return if a home has suffered damage, according to the sheriff’s office. The evacuated area will be open to residents only.
Colfax Elementary will also serve as an assistance center on Aug. 13 through 14. Hours go from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 14.
Nevada County officials said they will have a similar center for residents at Bear River High School, located at 11130 Magnolia Road in Grass Valley. There Nevada County evacuees can also receive a pass to return to their homes.
The five-day-old River Fire remained consistent at 2,619 acres burned with containment increased to 68%. Crews are continuing their tactical patrols and mopping up remaining hot spots.
There are nearly 500 firefighting personnel working the River Fire. As of Monday morning, more than 2,314 structures are still threatened by the fire. So far, 66 residential structures have been destroyed. 20 structures have also been damaged. One firefighter has been injured.
Because of ongoing firefighting efforts, Colfax Elementary has pushed its start date back one week, to Aug. 18.
Over the weekend, arson investigators began narrowing the search for the start of the River Fire to the Bear River Park and campground in the town of Colfax. The wildfire sparked Wednesday, Aug. 4. The fire started despite padlocked campfire rings and blocked off grill grates. According to information posted on the campgrounds website, there is a ban on open flames that started on July 1, 2021, that included barbecues and fireworks.
In the coming days, officials are likely to know more about the conditions at the specific campsite that started this fire – and potentially who, if anyone, will be held responsible.
Accounts to follow for the latest information:
Evacuations:
Nevada County: Check the Community Zone Haven for updates.
Placer County: For evacuation orders and warnings, visit ArcGIS Web Application.
Road closures:
Placer County: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Nevada County: https://community.zonehaven.com/
Maps of evacuations
Click HERE for Placer County's public evacuation map.
Click HERE for a map of the wildfire area
WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, 2020 was one of the most severe fire seasons on record as 9,917 wildfires burned 4.2 million acres. Over 9,000 structures were destroyed, and 31 people (civilians and firefighters) were killed.
California also experienced its first "Gigafire" because of the August Complex Fire, burning over 1 million acres by itself. Four of California's top five largest wildfires in state history happened in 2020.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and know your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
Gallery: River Fire destruction
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