On Tuesday, 2 News Nevada spoke with Somersett residents who told us about the emotions people can feel when they need to leave their home.
They shared how difficult it can be trying to figure out what exactly to take.
Thinking of what they might need for just the night, or a few days, to thinking of all their most sentimental and important items in case they have to face the worst outcome.
Alan Drew, a Somersett resident, told us, "We were packing up things and were torn between packing up what we needed just to stay in a hotel for a couple of days, and what we wanted to take in case the house went up, and we lost it, so we took some papers and personal things as well. So it was kind of a panic, deciding what to take."
Other folks we talked to told us how devastating it is to come back to their neighborhood and see the burn scar that was left behind.
They say they're happy to see the homes not damaged, but thinking about the wildlife being affected is hard, and taking their daily walks on these trails won't be the same.
Greg Valenti, another Somersett resident, said, "We left, went to my daughter's in Sacramento, came back, and coming in through the canyon and looking at it like it was, wow. I mean, the destruction is really significant, and I hike and ride my dirt bike up back there, and I'm afraid to see what it's going to look like when we get up here.”
They said going through this evacuation has them wondering how city officials can be better prepared for future fires, because they felt it was too much of a challenge to leave the area when they were being told to hurry.
Jan Bishop, a Stead resident, said, "Developing a neighborhood, we need to be thinking about this ahead of time. So our people, who we elect downtown to look at these issues, they need to be looking at all the possibilities to help the residents to be as safe as possible as they can."
Many of the folks we spoke with emphasized the importance of education when it comes to fire safety, especially in this area where fires can be common.
