24-year-old Arielle Penick, a resident of Oroville, California, recently had to evacuate her home due to the Thompson Fire, which brought back traumatic memories of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise. The Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California's history, had a profound impact on Penick and her family.
Penick, along with her 5-year-old son, fiancé, and fiancé's two children, had to quickly gather their belongings and evacuate as the Thompson Fire continued to spread in Butte County, just 20 miles south of Paradise. The sight of the smoke and the orange glow in the sky triggered memories of the Camp Fire, causing Penick to experience PTSD symptoms.
Having received a settlement from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) following the Camp Fire, Penick used the funds to secure her current residence in Oroville. However, the fear of losing her home once again due to wildfires is a constant source of stress for her, especially now that she is pregnant, just like she was during the Camp Fire evacuation in 2018.
Penick vividly recalls the harrowing experience of fleeing the Camp Fire while pregnant, walking for almost a mile with her family and pets before being rescued by a kind stranger named Butch. Returning to Paradise after the fire, she found her home destroyed, with cherished belongings lost to the flames.
Currently staying with a friend who is also a Camp Fire survivor, Penick is anxiously awaiting updates on the status of her Oroville house. The uncertainty and disruption caused by the wildfires have added to the stress of her pregnancy, with her doctor's office closed due to the ongoing fire situation.
Penick's resilience and determination shine through as she navigates yet another wildfire evacuation, drawing strength from her support system and past experiences. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by residents in wildfire-prone areas and the emotional toll of repeated evacuations and losses.
