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CALAVERAS COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) — The Gann Fire destroyed multiple homes in Angels Camp three weeks ago, leaving residents, including CJ and Julia Poloka, working to recover and rebuild.
“That’s metal roofing, that was the garage underneath,” CJ said, pointing to the remains of their property.
The fire spread rapidly in early August, crossing the ridge and engulfing their home. “The fire in the morning crossed the ridge. It was crazy because the fire spread so fast that Tuesday morning, it looked like a waterfall, and then it’s at our property,” CJ and Julia said.
While they managed to rescue most of their animals, they are still hoping the rest will return.
“We rescued seven out of our eight goats. Her name is Sky. Our Great Pyrenees, he ran off, and our barn cat, Luna,” they said.
The couple, like many of their neighbors, did not have fire insurance, making the road to recovery even more challenging. Despite this, they are leaning on their community for support.
“The question we keep getting is, how can I help or what can I do to help?” CJ said.
To address this, CJ created a website, GannFireRecovery.org, to connect survivors with those who want to lend a hand.
“What better way to try to connect what somebody might need, with the people who might have it and able to give it. With a tight-knit community like this, people are willing to help out,” CJ said.
The website offers resources for survivors to get help, updates on damage assessments and recovery efforts, and opportunities for volunteers to sign up to assist.
“It’s going to be hard to break us now,” CJ said. “We’re a very tight-knit group now. I love my neighbors, I love living in Angels Camp. The support has been great, from people we don’t even know.”
The Polokas have also received help from a neighbor in Valley Springs, who donated a trailer to them.
“He’s actually giving us a trailer. Doesn’t even want us to give it back,” CJ said. “That’s what I mean about the community and helping out. To them it’s like, I don’t even need this, but to somebody else, we can sleep there, and have somewhere to wash our hands.”
The couple’s resilience and community spirit are helping them and others navigate the long road to recovery.
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