The Hawk Fire that swept through Washoe County this summer destroyed more than 40 homes, including the residence of Jeff and Carolyne Poindexter. On Thursday, the couple returned to the charred lot, digging through ash and debris in hopes of rescuing any remaining mementos.
Salvaging what matters
“We didn’t have a lot of time. We were out when we first found out about the fire,” Jeff Poindexter recalled. “So we didn’t have a whole lot of time when we got home to grab, to sift through anything to grab. ‘Okay, we need this and this and this,’ but it was just important paperwork.”
The Poindexters focused on retrieving essential documents, but later reflected that they might have prioritized items of deeper personal significance. “There are things that we lost that are worth money,” said Carolyne. “I probably still would have jumped over all of that and grabbed things that meant more to me than just the clothes and the important paperwork.”
Lessons learned
The family also expressed regret over not creating a defensible space around their home, a precaution that could have lessened the fire’s impact. “Our neighbors had more than us, and those homes survived,” Jeff noted, highlighting the importance of proper fire‑wise landscaping.
Gratitude for first responders
Despite the loss of their house, the Poindexters praised the fire crews for their dedication. “With what they had to deal with, they did an absolute amazing job,” Jeff said. “I mean, we lost our house, but you can’t save everything. So, yeah, that’s… Thank you.”
Community rallying around the family
The outpouring of support has been a source of comfort. “We absolutely are overwhelmed with the amount of support that we’re getting from everyone in the community. Friends, family, friends of friends, family of friends, the whole everything,” Carolyne shared. “And they’ve come out in a way we never expected. And that has been overwhelming.”
Neighbors have organized meals, donated clothing, and set up a GoFundMe page to assist with immediate needs. The fundraiser, created by friend Autumn Janoss, continues to collect contributions for the Poindexters as they navigate the rebuilding process.
Looking ahead
The Poindexters ask that, once the initial emergency phase passes—approximately six months from now—friends and donors consider reaching out again. “That’s when support will be needed the most,” they said, emphasizing the long road to restoring their home and lives.
As the community bands together, the Poindexter story serves as a reminder of the resilience and compassion that can emerge from tragedy, reinforcing the bonds that hold neighborhoods together.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
