As MHProNews reported Jan. 7, 2016, while 21 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manufactured homes have been provided for burned-out residents, and more will be sited, Westrich’s is the first permanent home to be placed.
His home was in Middletown. When evacuation orders were issued Sept. 12, 2015, he left his home carrying few belongings, figuring wildfires stay in the forest, they do not come into towns. Surrounding homes mostly escaped the fire, as did the nearby downtown area, but his did not.
Thinking he would be back in the morning, he packed little clothing, but for some reason—for which he is now thankful– he grabbed photos of his recently deceased wife from the wall, loaded his two small dogs into an RV, and headed out.
He has been living on the property in the RV, but now he will be able to move into his 1,188 square foot manufactured home.
CalRecycle has removed debris from 1,130 home sites, which will allow other homes to be replaced as well. One site-built home on Cobb Mountain is nearly complete, although it is, for now, surrounded by charred trees and scorched earth. ##
(Photo credit: kgo-tv–Valley Fire in northern California, Sept., 2015)
