PORTLAND, Ore. — Jennie Peters vividly remembers what it was like to evacuate with three children from a wildfire as fierce winds blew embers through the river canyon near her home two years ago.
"When we left, I could see the burning embers coming over the trees, landing in the backyard," she said. "I called my mom, and I was like, 'You know, I don't know if I'll ever see our house again.' And I kind of put it in my mind that it's probably all gone."
Fire destroyed outbuildings on her family's 13-acre property near the Santiam River in Lyons, Oregon, including a well house and her husband's workshop. The family lost hardwood trees, mostly maples, valued at $200,000. But their 1,700-square-foot home survived, albeit with smoke and heat damage that prevented their return for four months.
