Goose Fire evacuees prep for another night away from home

FRESNO COUNTY (KFSN) -- Red Cross volunteers load up on blankets, pillows and other supplies as they prepare to house evacuees from the Goose Fire for another night.

Beth Linder Carr says she wasn't home at the time of the fire but took some animals and whatever precious items she could with her.

"When we went back into the house I took some heirloom jewelry and my grandmother's dress and coat and some artwork of my daughters and things like that," she said.

The Sierra High School teacher says this is the first time in 30 years she's ever had to evacuate for a wildfire.

Inside Foothill Elementary School, clothing, water and other necessities are being made available to evacuees.

David Van Balinghem says he's been staying at the school since Saturday.

"We saw it coming in, in the day on Saturday it was far away and really small and in no time it was all over the place and we were told to be evacuated," he said.

As Van Balinghem waits to get updates from the Red Cross, he's hoping firefighters are able to control the flames soon.

"It takes it slow and long but we are just thankful we got out and we are safe and thankful to everybody."

The latest numbers from the Fresno County Sheriff's Office show more than 300 people have been evacuated.

Cal Fire recommends people living in the foothills have an emergency plan in place in case they're evacuated during what's been an already busy wildfire season.

"Some of the homes got pretty close and that's why we put those evacuation orders in advance because you never know if you're going to get close or very close or even worse," Johnny Miller with Cal Fire said.