Your Red Cross Update

By Mauri Shuler

When the town of Calistoga was evacuated, Jose left in the predawn hours with his family to escape the flames; he desperately tried to think of a place to go where his family would be safe. Jose had plenty to worry about, as he is undocumented. He has worked in California for 40 years, and has three daughters born in the United States. Safety from the fire was primary, but he also worried about staying safe from immigration authorities. Read more

By Karine Duetsch

Photo by Marko Kokic, Red Cross Shelter at Sonoma Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA

Maddy Thoreson is a special-needs teacher for the Sonoma County School District where classes have been suspended since the Tubbs Fire broke out and threatened most of Santa Rosa six days ago. She knew she wanted to help those affected by the fire and became a Red Cross volunteer last Tuesday, October 10. She may have only been a Red Cross volunteer for a week, but to the residents of the pet-friendly hall at the Sonoma Fairgrounds shelter, she is an old friend by now. Maddy walks the rows of cots and kennels, checking in on everyone by name, pet and human alike. Read more

By Mauri Shuler

(Photo by Frank Schulenburg)

Bill Hahn, 84, brought his wife, Patsy, home from the hospital to their home in Calistoga on Tuesday night before the fires came. Patsy, who had fallen, was released with bruises and a neck brace. They went to sleep and then were awakened by banging on the door at 1 a.m. They were told to evacuate immediately. Read more

By Karina Duetch

(Photo by Marko Kokic / Finley Community Center, Red Cross Shelter, Santa Rosa, California)

Maggie Y. was still up on the evening of Sunday, October 8, when she heard strong winds outside. Thinking there must be a thunderstorm in the area causing such strong winds, Maggie stepped outside to secure her lawn furniture. When she did not see rain, she reentered her home, which almost immediately lost power. A few moments later, her home’s smoke alarm began to sound. The piercing sound was the first indication she received that made her think it might be time to get out of her home. It seemed as if the fires that were quickly consuming the mountainside of Santa Rosa were also out-running the local government’s ability to warn residents to evacuate. Read more