When their California home was targeted by the devastating wildfires in the southern region of the state, a couple with North Texas origins lost everything.
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Christopher and Lauren Fordinal lost their home and neighborhood to the California wildfires.
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The couple has roots in North Texas.
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Dallas Fire Rescue is sending firefighters to help battle the wildfires.
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Christopher and Lauren Fordinal lost their home and neighborhood to the California wildfires.
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The couple has roots in North Texas.
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Dallas Fire Rescue is sending firefighters to help battle the wildfires.
After their home was destroyed by the wildfires in California, a couple who grew up in North Texas is still trying to rebuild.
We know:
As the fire spread, Christopher and Lauren Fordinal, along with their two children, hurried to leave their Altadena, California, home.
The Fordinals are spotted outside their residence in California. When flames threatened and eventually destroyed their home, the family was forced to leave.
Since the Eaton fire seemed to be spreading away from their house, the Fordinals believed they were safe. However, the winds forced the fire into their neighborhood, and within a few hours, it was engulfed in flames.
Nothing was salvageable when the Fordinals got home.
The only remnants of the Fordinals’ California home are a chimney and some debris. After the wildfires threatened and eventually destroyed their home, the couple was forced to leave.
What they’re saying:
Christopher Fordinal stated, “Technically, we weren’t in an evacuation.” “Before it was ever reported, we witnessed it. I contacted her when I noticed it while the firefighters were approaching. “Go get the girls, don’t freak out,” I said.
At that point, Christopher took what he could from their house while Lauren Fordinal departed with their girls.
“If I could go back, I would have filled trash bags and suitcases worth of two weeks of things,” said Lauren Fordinal. “Like both baby mobiles that people had made me that were homemade, I mean, sentimental things that I’ll never, ever be able to get back.”
Upon returning to the house after the fire was extinguished, the residents of North Texas discovered that only the chimney remained.
The Fordinals said they are thankful for the assistance they have received from their Texas relatives and friends as well as their local community in California since losing their house.
According to Christopher Fordinal, “I think the beautiful side of it truly has just been, holy cow, this, like people are loving,” “Yes, you’re going to see the negative side of mankind, but like you’re seeing so many people show up and love on, and care for, and yeah, and cherish those who are struggling right now.”
Next steps:
To assist in battling the wildfires, Dallas Fire Rescue and several other organizations from throughout the state are traveling to California.
According to DFR Assistant Chief Scott Pacot, six firefighters will be dispatched to assist.
“We have four firefighters on the wildland aspect of the fire suppression, and two with the emf, with EMS and medical support,” Pacot stated. “So, six total from Dallas ourselves that are tied to other strike teams.”
The teams will be available to aid where needed, whether that be with 911 calls, putting out fires, or taking turns with other crews so local firefighters can relax.
“How can we be of assistance? And we truly have the chance to do that,” Pacot stated. “To be able to answer.”
Overview:
A devastating flare-up of the Palisades fire caused additional evacuations on Friday night, resulting in a fifth day of flames in the Los Angeles area.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported Saturday night that at least 16 people had been murdered by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, which as of Friday had destroyed almost 12,000 buildings. While firefighters continue to work on the Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia fires, evacuation orders were removed in some neighborhoods.
Palisades Fire
As it blazed for a sixth day on Saturday, the Palisades Fire was 11% controlled. The burned area exceeds 23,000 acres.
Over 3,000 firefighters are fighting the fire. There were at least five fatalities.
It was estimated or stated that around 5,000 structures, including cars, were destroyed. Of those, at least 426 were residences. Over 100,000 people have been forced to relocate.
Eaton Fire
As of Saturday afternoon, 15% of the devastating Eaton fire had been contained. More than 7,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, according to officials.
The burned area is over 14,000 acres.
The LA Medical Examiner reports that at least 11 persons were slain.
The Origin:This article’s information is based on interviews with Amelia Jones of FOX 4 and earlier FOX reporting.
