Evacuated Homeowners Thankful For What They Have
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Before homeowners were allowed to return to the hardest hit neighborhoods in the Waldo Canyon Fire, many speculated about what they would find.
Others already knew their homes had succumbed to the flames of the massive wildfire that burned 346 homes in Colorado Springs.
"We kind of knew because we had seen aerial photos of our property so we were braced for the loss," said Marty Novak-Haynes who lost her home in the fire.
"In our particular section everything is wiped out. The most important thing is our lives. My husband and I and our dog. What I will miss the most is just thinking about our neighbors. We had tremendous neighbors and I really hope they will rebuild," said Novak-Haynes.
On Sunday residents living in the evacauted areas will be able to see their properties to gather what they might need.
People who have lost homes will be allowed to see them but not walk through the ashes as most homes are still smoldering and not safe.
Some residents are returning home after being evacuated three times.
"Went down to my daughters house who is just off Fillmore. Got a pre-evacuation reverse 9-1-1 down there. We said okay that's too close. Becky and I decided we were going to take the three kids and cats and we went to a house in Manitou. We were having lunch and get a reverse 9-1-1 call and we said okay we have to go again. We made arrangements with the friend on the northeast side of town and so we moved up there," said evacuee Larry Danforth.