Rebuilding is Slow

There are two more new homes being set up in the park. Just think only 497 to go!

Space 540

The first home has been put into space 540.

First Home In

On Friday or Saturday "Pacific Valley Homes" slipped the first home into the park.

New Windows II

Loretta's new window.

Concrete Dump

I knew there had to be a large pile of concrete somewhere. That dump truck has been going somewhere with his load.

So Much Work

Work across the street to remove the wall, insulation and hopefully that smell has begun. While looking this over it becomes apparent that the fire got into the narrow crawl space in the ceiling. The wiring, breaker box and air conditioner are all toast.

A House Across the Street

The fire got really close to Larry's house. What a mess! On the left side, close to the air conditioner the fire burned through into the master bath. His tool shed, and all the contents as well as the master bedroom were affected.

Plum Tree Update

The plum trees look like they might recover. At this rate it will take a very long time! Frank's crew cleaned the suckers and have made them look a little better.

New Windows

Loretta is getting her windows replaced. This seems like the perfect opportunity. This was a sliding glass door. After today it will be a regular window.

Dump Truck III

After waiting for the best opportunity to park next to the dump truck, this one came along on Sunday. My car is little, and this truck is big!

Trees

There is so much work to do. Hundreds of trees and shrubs have to be cut down and the stumps removed. I've heard Frank's guys comment on being happy to have a job after the fire. Looking at this job I'm not so sure!

Dump Truck II

They're making some of the spaces ready to accept new homes. I think they've done five or six, so far.

Giant Dump Truck

There is a giant dump truck driving around in the park. I'll catch up with it tomorrow.

Blackened Plum Trees

All the pine trees are showing signs of recovering from the fire. Then there are the ornamental plum trees. . .

My point of view.

It's been a pleasure to have ServPro of Burbank cleaning our home. So far all that has been required of us is to explain what more we want and they do it. While they are working I have found a shady place under a giant oak tree. Here's the view!

5+ tons of trash

The garage has been the place to put anything that we don't want inside anymore. Some years ago it became impossible to park the car in the garage and gradually we had to make narrow pathways to get around in there.

Perhaps you can't really tell by this picture but this dumpster is 20 cubic yards/5 tons. So far we've filled 1 and 1/2 dumpsters! Who knew that we had accumulated so much trash. Dad is grief stricken, 25 years of collecting this stuff and I came along and disposed of ALL OF IT! His heart must a skipped a beat when he heard the door close in the morning and realized it was me leaving to throw more away.
He came right over!

The Dirt!

After the boards came off the windows the soot came into focus. Golly! There is far more ash in the place than I could have imagined.

Oakridge Opening?

On Saturday, May 2nd, 2009, a news report announced that the City and State have signed off on the "Health Hazards" in Oakridge MH Park. Residents whose home survived can go in and start working to make their places habitable again.

Loretta and I went right down there and they let us in. Once inside it becomes painfully apparent that the debris clean up company that the City hired didn't do nearly as much as they promised. This should be something that Alarcon might have an impact on. As we toured the park we also came across a few (4) home that are wrapped in "bubble wrap". I heard that these homes have been destroyed but the owners wouldn't sign off on the clean up, therefore their debris remains on their space.