California flames reach the hearts of Colorado Springs family

Even though the flames are miles away, the devastation has hit home here in Southern Colorado.

Rebecca Williams has lived in Colorado Springs for five years with her husband and children, but grew up in Paradise. A small forested community nestled in Northern California.

However, after this week’s fires, that town is anything but a paradise.

“There was always a chance of something like this happening, but we never anticipated such complete devastation,” said Williams, who lived in Paradise until she was nineteen. The home that she grew up in is nothing but ash and a few smoldering logs now.

“They are material things. We still have the memories and we still have the family,” said Williams, who is more concerned over the community. “A majority of the people that live in Paradise are elderly. I don’t know how they had a chance of getting out. Things happened so quickly.”

The Butte County Fire Chief says around 1,000 homes in Paradise alone have been damaged or destroyed.

After the fires hit, Williams went to California to be with family. She’s seen the worst in nature, but some of the best in human nature over the past few days.
“People are just coming out of the woodwork to help Paradise,” said Williams. Her own family, themselves victims to the flames, have also lent a helping hand. “The next day after the fires my nephew and his fiancee were at Costco buying supplies for the fire victims not just for themselves.”

Williams says the footage on television looks bad, but hope still remains.
“The greatest devastation brings out the best in others,” said Williams. “It is incredible. It’s a miracle to see the humanity in others.”

Williams says many will not be able to move back to the Paradise community after this. She says the damages are so extensive that the community may have died with the fires.

If you wish to do more, Williams urges you to donate to your favorite charitable organization. “It does go a long way,” she says.