WILLITS, Calif. (KXTV) – The Creek Fire continues to burn in the Sierra National Forest; however, just west of the deadly blaze is a place of comfort and calm. At Klein Camp, The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is working to keep spirits up while providing necessities for evacuees.
“We just try to keep everybody smiling,” said CERT team lead Tracy Potter, of Paradise.
Potter knows what these evacuees are going through. Paradise is where she lost her home to the 2018 Camp Fire, which is still the deadliest wildfire in state history.
“Just trying to give people as much information as we can as far as the fire goes,” she said. “We have the ability to listen to the unified command channels up here, so we can give people up-to-date information.”
CERT is made up of volunteers. They are often the first to respond to emergencies. In this case, that meant getting essential items into the hands of evacuees, such as food, water, sanitizer, toilet paper, batteries, and flashlights.
“You’ve got to have a really big heart,” volunteer John James said. “You’ve got to have some experience working with people.”
The team also helps with security and traffic control. Jim Simpson is an evacuee from Auberry.
“I’ve seen CERT in action down in Auberry during the Creek Fire down there,” he said. “I’m just really grateful for what they do, because it gives you a peace of mind.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Potter said. “We’re going to be here until the very last evacuee goes home.”
Donations can be made online at loveourneighbors.org.
For the latest on the Creek Fire, click here. .
