The sights and sounds of spring are present once again; the hills green with new life, the birds rebuilding their nests, the streams and lakes filling with blue. For most the disruption to daily life created by the October 2007 Wildfires, has long since been forgotten. Unfortunately for many, those not so distant memories are still very much a reality. For them the signs of new life are still a painful reminder of all that was lost.
The San Diego County Wildfires of 2007 took a devastating toll on Southern California. The largest of the fires known as the Witch Creek fire tore a wide swath through North County, stretching from the oak-covered backcountry almost to the ocean. Fanned by gusts of up to 70 mph, the blaze grew to 198,000 acres and destroyed 1,075 homes. For these victims it is a tragedy that will not soon be forgotten. The long process of rebuilding has begun, but hundreds still remain without homes; many still looking for a sense of stability and a way to move on. One such family found themselves not only without their home of 15 years, but tragically without insurance to cover the loss.
On appearance the Oleson family is like any other family: A mom who is also the home school teacher, a new litter of cute puppies, a tattered rope swing dangling from a tall eucalyptus tree. Yet, look a little deeper and you will find that this family of nine is far from normal. They are a family with an incredible spirit of giving and of gratitude; a family that is extremely devoted to one another and constantly shares that devotion with those around them. One grateful neighbor exclaimed, “The Olesons’ home and property have been the very center of their family life. They have been the anchor of our neighborhood… My one wish is that the Olesons have a new home that would once again serve as the center for their family life and the neighborhood.”