News

Cranston Fire evacuees join support group

Published August 2, 2018 1:05 AM

Today marked one week since the Cranston Fire forced thousands from their homes. The flames knocked out power lines and destroyed several homes, leaving mountain communities rebuilding physically and emotionally.

“Coming back, it was like a ghost town. It was very scary. It was almost misty around Lake Hemet. You probably saw that,” said Lisa Rhodes Reese, an evacuee who returned home today.

Irena Carlson left her home as the fire traveled closer to her Idyllwild home last week.

“I had a lot of emotional moments. The moment I realized that this was real and I really needed to evacuate,” Carlson said.

Emotions that continue to linger after the flames have faded.

Dr. M.P Wylie and Deni Ohrazda facilitated a support group meeting for those impacted by Cranston Fire.

“They have a chance to talk and I think that’s the most healing process, plus everyone at the support group has experienced it first hand,” Dr. M.P. Wylie said.

Carlson attended that meeting.

“I decided inside that I was just going to go. So, I decided I would show up and it was wonderful,” Carlson said.

Ohrazda works for the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Sector and says the emotional recovery for this fire is different than the average.

“This one was man-made, was purposeful,” Ohrazda said. “I think that’s a different way of dealing with it when you think this wasn’t intended to happen. So, I think that was an issue and difficult for people to wrap their brains around.”

The man accused of sparking the more than 13,000-acre blaze, Brandon N. McGlover of Temecula, has been charged with 15 felony counts and faces a potential life sentence.