California evacuees meet, thank Arizona firefighters who helped save their home

SIERRA MADRE, CA (AZFamily) — Before Tiffany and Kevin Kress were evacuated from their Sierra Madre, California home, they had never heard of Show Low, Arizona.

Now, the town and the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District will hold a special place in their heart.

“Almost every time we think about it we get close to tears, quite honestly,” said Kevin. Arizona’s Family met the Kress family after they had to evacuate because of the deadly Eaton Fire.

As of Saturday morning, their home is untouched by flames, and Tiffany discovered crews from the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District helped save it.

They are thankful to have a home to return to but feel for the thousands of others who lost theirs. Tiffany says survivor’s guilt comes with surviving this type of wildfire.

While evacuation orders are still in place, the Kress family is expecting their second child any day now. They can’t wait to bring him home.

“I think it’s going to be a lot more sentimental than what I expected,” Tiffany said. “You’re home buddy. You have a home to go home to.”

Tiffany and Kevin did get a chance to meet and thank the Arizona fire crews while they picked up a few belongings on Friday. According to the department in Show Low, Battalion Chiefs Conrad Loney and Jake Sample are stationed in California, likely for a few weeks.

In a text message with Arizona’s Family, Loney said they were grateful for the kind words and that they are just a small part of the personnel in California to help.

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