Destructive deadly wildfire hitting close to home for some Central Valley natives
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Camp Fire may be burning more than 200 miles away from the central Valley but for one South Valley woman, it's hitting too close to home.
"My dad's home we believe is still standing but we know there are seven houses up the street that are gone--burned to the ground," said Sanchez.
Angela Sanchez grew up in Chico before living in the South Valley. Her father has a home in Paradise where the Camp Fire has scorched more than 100,000 acres.
"You think of all the good memories that you've had in these places and you know they've lost everything and so that's tough," said Sanchez.
Though the panic has set in through most of the north state. Sanchez is still amazed and comforted by the sense of community in Butte County.
"My 78-year-old father went to their (neighbors) house crawled through the doggy door and got the dog out of the house and into the car," said Sanchez.
She's just thankful her father is with her now that reality has set in.
"After the fact, he thought, 'wow if I would've had heart problems I could've been stuck there and no one would've known I was there," said Sanchez.
Close to 700 evacuees are staying at the four Red Cross shelters.
"There's just a sense of panic what are you going to take knowing you won't see your house," said Sanchez.
As the paradise community continues to search for more than 100 people still unaccounted for.
"People want to talk whether they want to tell you their life story or tell you how they escaped people want to talk," said American Red Cross Stephen Walsh.
As of now, Angela believes her father's home is still standing but she says it all depends on which way the wind blows. She is hoping the fire does not return to that area.
