Community Stories

The Resiliency Fund is committed to honoring the historical legacy of the Central Sierra region by collecting community stories of the Creek Fire–and the unique histories that precede it– and preserving those stories through the Central Sierra Historical Society.

We are collecting stories of places before and after the Creek Fire, and/or of your experience during the Fire itself.

Robin Calderwood

On Friday when the fire happened, we all sat around the driveway looking at the big plume of smoke.

Deborah Bell

Domino. Three months to the day since Allyn last saw her. Our house and property burned the next night.

Marissa Neely

Marissa and Chris Neely are Shaver Lake locals who now live on their sailboat, named Avocet. This story was originally publised on their blog, Sailing Avocet: https://www.svavocet.com

Christina Pasillas

I was living in Alder Springs with my two small children which is located in Auberry, California at the time of the Creek Fire. I had been in the home since 2019. When I first saw this small little home with a beautiful view I knew it was the one and I had to buy it.

Steve Michael McQuillan

I was in South Lake Tahoe on the evening of September 4 on a four day family vacation that my daughter had arranged for all of us a year earlier. At approximately 7pm I received a page notifying me of a wildland fire near Camp Sierra and that our department had been dispatched.

Cheri Deaton

I live four miles out on Petersen road, as the crow flies, right below Cressman’s on the same mountain. We have lived there for 30 years. We had a ranch built up with a two story house, a two story barn.

Phyliss Randt

Friday before the evacuation I noticed some smoke, didn’t think much of it. Saturday was a little worse, didn’t think much of it. Sunday a Sheriff came by and said, “Hey, we’re gonna be chasing you out real soon.”

Meg Tallberg

This is a story about a “little” spot in the forest during and immediately after the Creek Fire. We live just off of 168 below Ockenden & we have a “game” camera strapped to a tree on the corner of our property.

James Parr

Stories from James Parr–Chief for Pine Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept. and Assistant Chief for Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. He is now the chief for both fire departments.

Signs of Gratitude

Roadside signs abound encouraging residents and thanking the first responders for their efforts during the Creek Fire. (If you have photos you’d like to add to this collection please submit them via the form on the Storytelling page!)

Jean Larsen

Those of us who live in the mountains of California are always aware that it can happen – – and undoubtedly will happen, sometime – – (but it surely won’t happen to us.)It did happen!!We were among the lucky ones.

Mariah Colbert

I just wanted to make this because Avalon meant a lot to me and I know it did to you as well. The Cabin played a huge role in my childhood and I didn’t realize how much I appreciated the place.