LAKESIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Less than a week after a destructive wildfire tore through a Lakeside neighborhood, residents are still sorting through the damage and trying to rebuild their lives.
On Saturday, San Diego County Emergency Services turned the Lakeside Library into a resource hub where residents had in-person access to resources and information.
“My home was very nurturing to me, and I miss that,” said resident Sharon Martin.
It’s been a rough few days for Martin after she lost her home of 15 years to the Coches Fire. “That’s the hard part because a lot of what I had at my age was of sentimental value,” she added.
Martin’s home is one of six that were destroyed on Monday. Two other structures were damaged and two people were injured.
“I’m grateful to be alive and survive,” said Martin.
Now, county agencies and volunteer groups are uniting to help. “A lot of people don’t know the direction they need to go to try and get their lives back together,” said Jeremy Davis, Fire Marshal with Lakeside Fire Protection District.
They’re connecting fire victims to information which ranges from rebuilding permits to the replacement of vital records. Residents who were unable to make it to the resource fair on Saturday are still encouraged to reach out to county officials for assistance.
“We’re going to provide the same quality level of service that we would’ve provided here. We’ll waive the fee, and we’ll get you access to those documents,” said Martin Arias, Taxpayer Advocate with the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s office.
Beyond the physical damage, one couple who spoke with FOX 5/KUSI said they’re grappling with the emotional trauma.
“It’s frightening. It really is. I mean we’re processing; we’re working through it,” said Patti Haynes, whose home was damaged in the wildfire.
Though Patti and her husband Bob are back home, they said it needs repairs since the flames reached it because of a nearby eucalyptus tree.
“We’ve asked the county over the last 10 years to remove that tree,” said Bob Haynes. As clean-up continues, the Lakeside Fire Marshal said that’s a priority.
“If you have fire-damaged trees that could still pose a threat, even just falling down or doing damage to fences or homes, we’re going to get those removed as soon as possible,” said Davis.
Meanwhile, the loss is bringing the community closer and making them more grateful.
“What the fire people did — amazing, amazing, amazing,” said Suha Alazawi, whose home was rescued by fire crews.
County officials also said residents whose homes were damaged may qualify for a temporary property tax deduction. More information can be found here.
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