Ashland, Ore. — With three homes and five structures burned and hundreds of homes threatened the Oregon Gulch Fire has become one of the most destructive fires in Southern Oregon and Northern California this year.
Nancy and Victor Rineman are one couple suffering from the destruction. They bought 20 acres on Copco Road 40 years ago and built five cabins on the property. But now one of their greatest fears is becoming a reality after the Oregon Gulch Fire ripped through the area.
“It was beautiful and now it’s kind of really sad,” Nancy said.
It was their little vacation spot, where they got married, and where they planned to retire. But now, those dreams are ashes.
“It was a shock to hear about it and see it on the news. We knew it was our place,” Nancy said.
Saturday, the couple was back seeing the destruction with their own eyes.
“I feel like it’s going to look kind of like a war zone up here to see planes dropping chemicals and water coming down,” Nancy said.
But she said it could have been worse. The family was at their home in Phoenix when the street was evacuated and no one was hurt.
The couple said they’re staying strong and hoping to rebuild a new home away from home in Brookings.
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