OROVILLE — Katherine Molohon walked up to a parked RV in pure disbelief.
Her ice-blue eyes lit up, completely stunned, as she gazed at her new haven.
She hadn’t had much reason to smile since the North Complex West Zone fires wreaked havoc on Berry Creek, Feather Falls and Brush Creek on Sept. 8. But, with a smile beaming across her face, Molohon, a volunteer firefighter with the Berry Creek fire department, was gifted an RV Saturday afternoon at Riverbend Park in Oroville.
“I’m just in shock from the whole thing. A good shock, not a bad shock from (the fire),” Molohon said. “It’s so awesome.”
Molohon had been living in a converted shed behind her mother’s trailer in Oroville since losing her home in Mountain House to the North Complex West Zone fires.
“(My mom’s) got a single wide so it’s kind of cramped,” Molohon said.
The generous gift came courtesy of James “Woody” Faircloth of EmergencyRV (formerly RV4CampFireFamily), a charitable organization. Faircloth currently lives in Colorado.
“The firefighters were at the top of our list,” Faircloth said. “We’re fortunate to help.”
It was the 85th RV Faircloth has gifted to someone who has lost their home and the first person to receive an RV outside of the Camp Fire.
“It’s tragic how many have the same story,” Faircloth said. “It’s why we do it. (An RV) is just such a basic shelter. She’s living in a shed behind her mom’s house. That shouldn’t happen.”
Molohon has dedicated the last seven years serving as a volunteer firefighter in Berry Creek.
“I like helping my community,” Molohon said.
Her family features a long lineage of firefighters. She’s carrying on that tradition.
Her father, aunt and uncle were all volunteer firefighters while her brother was part of the Feather River Hotshots.
But when the North Complex West Zone fires relentlessly tore through her community, Molohon’s first instinct was to help.