Courtesy Dan Michel

To many, sitting around a camp fire could be considered living a life of paradise. But to former Fillmore resident, Virginia Michel (FHS class of 45) and her family members, escaping the Camp Fire that was consuming the town of Paradise was anything but idyllic.

She along with her daughters, Candy Woods (class of 65), Holly Peters (class of 77), granddaughter Kacey Woods (class of 72), niece Cindy Sweeney Medley (Class of 68) granddaughter Cally Tidey as well as two nieces and two step-grandsons and their families did just that on Thursday, November 8 as the deadly flames began consuming the town.

Wind-driven smoke and embers turned day into night and clogged escape routes tragically took their toll on many trying to escape the inferno. The death toll stands at 29 souls and 7000 structures lost. Fortunately all of Virginia's family made it safely to a granddaughter's home in Chico but then could only sit and wait for the word on the fate of their dwellings. Several days later the word came that five of the seven family homes were part of the 7000. Holly's home where Virginia lives still stands but is possibly damaged due to the loss of the detached garage. The house belonging to step-grandson Jay Peters was the other survivor. Home owners were told they wouldn't be able to return to their properties for one to three months because of potential toxins.

Dan Michel, Virginia's son and Fillmore resident, said the families seem to be coping as best they can. He added, "I think they're focusing so much on the beginning recovery steps such as dealing with insurance companies and utilities that the gravity of their loss is pushed aside until the wee quiet moments. They were so supportive when my step-son Brian Zell’s apartment building, Hawaiian Village, burned to the ground during the Thomas Fire; we have to be there for them."

Since Virginia and her late husband Lloyd moved to Paradise in the 1980"s according to Dan, the town has dodged some bullets in regards to fires. Judging by the pictures of the smoking remnants in the media, this time it was a bomb you couldn't evade.