From January 1 to November 15, 2018, there were over 51,000 wildfires and 8.5 million acres burned in California, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Just from Northern California wildfire Camp Fire alone, over 500 people are currently reported missing, and over 80 individuals have been pronounced dead.
But, even with all of the devastating news surrounding the California wildfires lately, there are still positive stories to be told. This is true in the case of 93-year-old World War II veteran, Lee Brundige, who was generously taken in by a loving couple after he was stranded as Camp Fire took over his hometown: Paradise, California.
However, Lee’s rescue didn’t come so easy. Even after having safely evacuated his city, not knowing whether or not his home would still be standing when he returned, Lee refused to take food from Tracy Grant, one of the folks who just so happened to be present in the same parking lot Lee was parked in after one of the initial evacuations.
As the air grew smokier and less safe to breathe, deputies near the area urged that it was time for nearby evacuees to get out of the region. So, Tracy, whose home was still standing, offered Lee a stay at her place until he could get back on his feet.
“He didn’t want to go. I told him, ‘You’re not staying here by yourself,’ and he kind of joked with me that his lady days were over, and I said, ‘Whether or not they are, you’re coming home with me,'” Tracy tells CNN News.
Even after politely declining, Tracy told herself that she just couldn’t leave him. But, after further convincing, Lee accepted the offer.
Tracy’s boyfriend, Josh Fox, was completely thrilled at the idea of letting the veteran into their home: “When [Tracy] had said that [Lee] was a veteran, you know, an elderly, I was behind her 100 percent, you know, especially when he was alone, he had spent quite some time in the parking lot, almost 24 hours before she came to the house.”
In fact, Lee has already adjusted well to his host family’s home and loves the couple’s dogs!
While it may be a while before Lee will be able to return back home, once the coast is clear and rebuilding has begun, Tracy and Josh are more than happy to let Lee stay as long as he wishes.
“He can stay with us for, until forever as far as we’re concerned, but it’s entirely up to him. You know, with as much devastation that’s within the town, even with rebuilding, it seems like it’s going to take years, you know, for the infrastructure to get back” Josh says.
What incredible folks!
Watch the CNN interview of Tracy and her boyfriend, Josh, in the clip below to learn more about their experience with hosting Lee.
