By Michelle DeMeyer, Sierra-Delta Chapter Board and Tiffany Circle Member
As a Red Cross Sierra-Delta Chapter Board member, and member of the Tiffany Circle, I felt an immense duty to assist wherever possible. My deep roots in the community—born in Butte County and raised in Glenn County—only intensified this drive. With multiple siblings living in Chico, including a brother just two and a half miles from the evacuation line, the fire’s impact was personal and immediate.
This wasn’t my first experience aiding fire victims in Butte County. In 2018, during the Camp Fire which had a devastating impact on the town of Paradise, I volunteered with World Central Kitchen, preparing and delivering food bags to first responders and evacuees in hotels. The Camp Fire’s devastation, where many of my friends lost everything, remains a poignant memory. The Park Fire served as a stark reminder of how swiftly tragedy can strike.
My experience during the Park Fire also fueled my determination to learn more about fire prevention and emergency response. I realized the importance of community preparedness and the need for timely evacuation plans. Witnessing the resilience and unity of the affected communities further strengthened my commitment to volunteer work and disaster relief efforts. The Park Fire incident prompted me to collaborate with local organizations to organize fundraising events and awareness campaigns, aiming to support both individuals affected by the disaster and the ongoing wildfire prevention initiatives. It’s crucial to channel the lessons learned from these tragic events into proactive measures that can help communities better anticipate and respond to future wildfires.
The Park Fire began on July 24, 2024, in the dry and dense vegetation near Bidwell Park, east of Chico. Triple-digit temperatures and high wind gusts fueled the explosive growth of the fire. By Saturday, July 27, the fire had ravaged 350,000 acres with zero percent containment. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for tens of thousands of residents in Butte, Shasta, and Tehama counties, prompting the rapid establishment of Red Cross- and county-managed shelters.
On Saturday, my wife and I arrived at the Neighborhood Church shelter in Chico, ready to assist. We joined the onsite Red Cross team just before lunch, helping to organize and distribute meals to those in need. Due to an increased number of evacuation orders, the shelter was quickly filling up with additional evacuees, which meant we needed more meals than originally planned. Thankfully, we have partners, like World Central Kitchen who could quickly deliver additional lunches, ensuring everyone was fed. Collaboration and planning among organizations like this helps ensure the community needs are met.
Amidst the tragedy, while some people chose to camp in the parking lot and come inside when needed for resources, other individuals sought refuge inside the shelter on cots. One man, lying on a cot and quietly crying, caught my attention. Kneeling beside him, I asked how he was doing. “I’m just happy to be alive and have my photos. It is all I have left,” he said.
Listening to his story, I learned this was not his first evacuation. He had also been displaced during the Camp Fire in 2018. Together, we shared tears and heartfelt moments that will forever hold a special place in my heart.
These are the moments where the Red Cross mission is fulfilled—when compassion, connection, and community come together in unexpected ways.
Gold Country News and Notes 