‘I hope that we can get back to normal,’ Cranston fire evacuee shares
Some evacuees are returning to their homes once threatened by the Cranston fire. Residents are starting to go through the motions of cleaning up debris and restocking perishable goods.
Emily Pearson has been living in Mountain Center for 48 years. She’s experienced many evacuations while living on the mountain and says each evacuation order is just as difficult as the last.
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“It’s beyond anybody’s belief. It’s so scary and you think, you think, ‘Okay, it’s going to be alright’ but then all of a sudden the dynamics change and you’re just not sure anymore,” Pearson told KESQ & CBS Local 2’s Lauren Coronado.
Pearson and her grandchildren packed up their car Tuesday. The trio have been moving from hotels to a friend’s house in Idyllwild while being under evacuation.
“We lost our toy shed and our swing set and we lost stuff on our farm. We have tons of horses and stuff and we lost our barn and saddles and tack and stuff,” Pearson’s granddaughter, Harley Johnston said.
Despite all the loses, the family is happy to still have a home to return to.
“We’re just blessed we didn’t lose our homes. Some of our good friends did,” Pearson said.
Pearson’s cafe in Mountain Center was also salvaged.
“We’ve owned it [Mountain Center Cafe] for almost six years. We really like it. My daughter and I have a great crew that run it and they’re [firefighters] saying we can’t get down there. So, we’re hoping in two days,” Pearson said.
For now, Pearson and her grandchildren are settling in where they can, but the Cranston fire isn’t the family’s only concern right now.
“My daughter, in the meantime, is in Yosemite as a firefighter fighting the Ferguson Fire, so we’re really feeling displaced,” Pearson said.
“I think she’s coming back right now. I’m really really excited. We haven’t seen her for like two weeks now,” Johnston added.
As of Tuesday night, the Ferguson Fire is 58,000+ acres and 33% contained.
Evacuations remain in place in for residents of the Mountain Center, Bonita Vista, Apple Canyon, Hurkey Creek and the surrounding areas.
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