When the Hawk Fire swept through the east side of Peavine Mountain in early September, it consumed more than 15,000 acres, destroyed 47 homes and damaged 11 others. Among the victims were longtime Nevada residents Ed and Katie Campbell, whose house on Mohawk Lane had stood for 33 years.
Fire’s fury and a narrow escape
“You see the stuff in the movies, you think that’d be horrible, but to live it, it’s even worse than a movie,” Ed Campbell recalled as flames licked the driveway. Katie described the chaos as the family scrambled to load their dog and flee while the fire roared around them. “We were driving through flames to get down the street. It was harrowing, we thought we were going to die,” she said.
The Campbells’ son helped shepherd the family to safety, and the couple credits both their children and their faith for their survival. “If it weren’t for our sons and God, I wouldn’t have survived,” Katie said, tears welling as she remembered the night.
Insurance abandonment adds to the crisis
After the fire, the Campbells discovered their homeowner’s insurance had been canceled. “[Insurance companies] were canceling people for any reason they could just because of this, the fire danger here,” Katie explained. The policy was dropped by AAA, leaving the family without coverage for the charred remains of their home and most of their belongings.
They are not the first in the region to face such a loss. In 2020, the Poeville Fire burned over 3,000 acres on Peavine Mountain, but the Campbells’ home survived that blaze. This time, however, the flames took everything they had built.
Community and Red Cross step in
With no insurance to fall back on, the Campbells have turned to the American Red Cross and a local disaster‑relief resource center for assistance. Ed noted that navigating the paperwork and resources is “not easy when you’ve been in that situation before.” The Red Cross is helping the family secure temporary shelter, clothing, and basic necessities while they consider rebuilding options.
Local volunteers have also organized a GoFundMe campaign and are sharing the family’s story on social media to rally financial support. The outpouring reflects a broader community commitment to help neighbors in the wake of increasingly frequent wildfires.
Looking ahead
Ed and Katie remain hopeful despite the devastation. “We definitely love the location, everything about it, and now we have to restart,” Ed said, his voice breaking. The couple hopes to rebuild a home that can better withstand future fire threats, and they urge other residents to review their insurance coverage and emergency plans.
State officials have warned that climate‑driven fire seasons are likely to become more severe, urging homeowners to consider fire‑resistant building materials and to stay informed about evacuation routes. The Campbells’ experience underscores the importance of both personal preparedness and reliable insurance protection.
For those wishing to assist, the GoFundMe page remains active, and the family can be reached through their Facebook page for direct contributions.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
