As flowers bloom in a disintegrated neighborhood, families in Coffey Park are caring for their properties as they withstand the rebuilding process.
“We lost everything,” said Larry Keyser.
Every day, Keyser walks through his old neighborhood. He’s been doing it consistently since his home of more than three decades was incinerated back in October.
“Thirty-two years, gone. Gone.”
On the night of the fire, Larry, his wife, and teenage son left their home expecting to come back to it all. Everything, including family heirlooms went up in flames.
“Wedding dresses from the 1860’s I think. A black wedding dress and memorabilia from post Civil War, and you cannot put a price on that. I held my 16-year-old son as big as me. We just stood there and cried.”
Over the last six months, families have gone from grief, acceptance, cleanup, to insurance claims.
Some have even started on their new foundation.
The Keyser family is waiting on sketches from their architect.
“We’re gonna go with the original. Change the insides. We’re ready to move on, get the plans, and have some positive things in our lives.”
While Cal Fire continues to investigate the cause of the deadly North Bay Fires, government officials are working to prevent the next fire from causing as much devastation.