Today, November 17th 2021 is the first year anniversary, serving as a reminder of the devastating Pine Haven fire.

One year ago, 5 structures were lost, 24 damaged and 1,300 homes were evacuated.

The residents who were close to the fire want everyone to keep in mind those who didn't get the chance to return to their homes after they were burned down.

Reno City Council member Jenny Brekhus says they didn't want this day to pass without acknowledging how many people it effected, for some, changing their lives forever. 

Brekhus tells us what they've learned of fire risk in Southwest Reno "We all live with a threat of fire in our communities now, and how important, and critical a role our first responders and the incident command is when we are experiencing that risk."

She says they're very proud of the first responders and their ability to investigate causes.

Brekhus says "We have a lot of inter agency co-operation so when something goes in, we're by forest service land they're in, Truckee Meadows is in, Sparks is in you know it will be a regional effort."

But when so many people lose their home or their home gets immensely damaged, sometimes beyond compare, it take a toll on a neighborhood.

Brekhus adds "It has a ... emptying and destabilizing kind of sad over cast on a neighborhood."

Jason Sala, a Pine Haven Resident tells us "That was a scary day, and I'm glad the fires were out and it was unfortunate for the people who lost their homes."

For some residents, they still have PTSD from the traumatic fire to this day.

Sara Hendricksen, another Pine Haven Resident tells us her story "I was sitting at home, actually in my PJ's, and I smelled smoke I just remember... I was like no... there can't be a fire."

Sala adds "We left with both sides on the street on fire, and we were able to come home to our house."

Hendricksen says the fire department was overwhelmed that day, putting out fire down the Canyon after the wind shifted the flames, so her husband stayed to help keep the fire from nearby houses.

She tells us "We're standing in our backyard and fighting the fire from coming back into the house, because they were all the way down that way, but the fire was coming back toward our houses at the end of the night."

Hendricksen says her husband stayed the night to fight the fire off, and the firemen told him how grateful they were for his help.

Although her family did have to leave their house for a month and a half because the smoke damage was so bad.

Hendricksen says "We were very thankful at the same time because our house was still standing."

She tells us, she wants everyone to keep in mind those who are still going through a lot, because of the Pine Haven Fire.

Hendricksen herself is grateful "We just got our house back together, and it didn't burn down, and I just think about that everyday."

She say she's more aware now than ever before of her surroundings around her house since the fire.

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