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Lake Aloha. Desolation Wilderness. Pacific Crest Trail

#nightsky #milkyway #mountainlakes #LakeAloha

More from the Paradise Fire In Butte County.

It’s been 7 months since the Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise California on November 8, 2018.

I decided to take a drive up yesterday and see what was happening in the way of cleanup progress.

I never expected to be so overcome with emotion as I walked around and photographed the devastation. My eyes welled up as I saw burned children’s toys, A garage that was one man’s woodworking shop with all of the charred tools remaining. A drill press, a table saw, a band saw. All of which probably had many stories to tell.

There were broken dishes on the ground from a kitchen past. Brick Fireplaces left standing as far as the eye can see. Places where people once gathered. Maybe to talk about all things local.

White X marks on small propane tanks, water heaters and other metal containers or structures mean that EPA or DTSC Phase 1 workers have assessed them and have removed any hazardous content from them (if any) so that Phase 2 workers know their status during their cleanup.

I was surprised by how many cars remained with tires melted away and insides gutted from the fire. Almost every lot still had at least 1 car on it.

And most amazing to me was the spotted houses that stood standing among the rubble. Appearing to be untouched by the flames when every house around in every direction was reduced to ash.

And I’m tearing up as I write this remembering the little memorial in the front of one house with an American flag where I presumed someone had lost their life.

My heart goes out to the people of Paradise. I hope the time passes quickly between now and the day you can resume your normal lives. But I’m sure the memories will forever be with you.

#paradisestrong