In this undated photo provided by Irma Muniz shows the Shepherd family, Jon and Sara Shepherd and their children, Kressa, and Kai. Kai, left, was killed after a wildfire tore through his family’s home in Redwood Valley, Calif. on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. He was 14 when he died, said his aunt, Mindi Ramos. Sara and 17-year-old daughter, Kressa, both sustained burns on 60% of their bodies. Jon sustained burns on 45% of his body. Relatives are trying to raise money to cover medical expenses and prepare to eventually bring the family to live with Sara’s parents’ home in Redwood Valley.
When flames swept over the mountain like a “nuclear blast,” Paul Hanssen ran from his burning home, a water-soaked towel around his head and dog by his side, and took shelter in a trailer. He waited nervously for two long hours as winds howled and embers flew by.
When the fire passed, he emerged, parched with thirst. He went to a nearby spring for water and screamed to see if anyone else was around.
No one answered.
Hanssen hurried toward his neighbors’ house, where he found Sara Shepherd and her 17-year-old daughter, Kressa, lying on the ground, more than half their bodies burned. He called 911 and took water from a hot water heater left in the charred remnants of the family’s home, squeezing drops into their mouths with the towel from his head.
“It was the most gut-wrenching, heartbreaking thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. “They were so thirsty, and I knew how they felt because I just went through that thirst.”
Farther down the mountain, Hanssen found Shepherd’s 14-year-old son, Kai. The eighth-grader at Eagle Peak Middle School, who loved baseball and wrestling, did not survive.
First responders found Kai’s father, Jon Shepherd, separately, on the mountain. He was also badly burned but alive.
The wildfires that started late Sunday and swept across a wide area north of San Francisco are the deadliest and most destructive the state has ever seen. While much of the devastation is in Sonoma and Napa counties, the heart of California’s wine country, fire also wiped out a swath of Redwood Valley, a community of about 1,800 roughly 70 miles (113 kilometers) north in Mendocino County.
Sara, 40, and Jon Shepherd, 44, finished building their dream home there two years ago on a long, winding road up a mountain where they could garden and raise their two children.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Homeowner Martha Marquez looks over her burned home in Santa Rosa, California on Oct. 10, 2017.
Firefighters encouraged by weakening winds were battling 17 large wildfires on Tuesday in California which have left at least 13 people dead, thousands homeless and ravaged the state's famed wine country.
Elijah Nouvelage, AFP/Getty Images
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood on Oct. 11, 2017, in Santa Rosa, California
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday to help battle infernos which have left at least 21 people dead and thousands homeless.
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
Ben Pederson find's a school yearbook in the remains of his bedroom after his family's home was destroyed by wildfire in Santa Rosa, California, Oct. 11, 2017.
The death toll from some of California's worst ever wildfires rose to 17 as thousands of firefighters battled to bring the infernos under control. The fires which have devastated California's wine country are already among the deadliest ever in the western US state and officials warned they expect the toll to go up.
Elijah Nouvelage, AFP/Getty Images
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood Oct. 11, 2017, in Santa Rosa, California
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday to help battle infernos which have left at least 21 people dead and thousands homeless.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
An aerial view of homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Colby Clark of San Francisco, left, comforts her mother, Bonnie Trexler, after being escorted by law enforcement to her home in Silverado Highland to retrieve medicine and some personal items on Wednesday, Oct., 11, 2017 in Napa, Calif. Trexler was one of the lucky few who found that her home was spared from the devastating fire which burned homes around her Monday.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
A view of mobile homes at the Journey's End Mobile Home Park that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
In this Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, photo, fire consumes two cars but spares a home on Keiser Road southwest of Kenwood, Calif.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Charred wine barrells sit on racks at Paradise Ridge Winery after being destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Elijah Nouvelage, AFP/Getty Images
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood on Oct. 11, 2017, in Santa Rosa, California
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday to help battle infernos which have left at least 21 people dead and thousands homeless.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Property owner Chris Schrobilgen stands in his neighbor's burned grape vineyard in Calistoga, California on Oct. 11, 2017.
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday to help battle infernos which have left at least 21 people dead and thousands homeless.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Charred wine barrells sit on racks at Paradise Ridge Winery after being destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
Wine grapes are destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 17 people have been killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
An aerial view of a K-Mart store that was destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Hector Amezcua, The Sacramento Bee via The Associated Press
Mark Haley, carries his daughter Fiona, 5, as he attends a community meeting with fire officials at Browns Valley Elementary School community in Napa, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
An aerial view of homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Twenty one people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
An aerial view of homes that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Firefighters inspect an Arby's restaurant that was destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
David McNew, Getty Images
A vineyard on Napa's Silverado Trail is seen next to land blackened the Atlas Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 near Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 people were killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
A view of hundreds of homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
A view of hundreds of homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood that were destroyed by the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 11, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. At least 21 people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 3,000 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
Homeowner Phil Rush looks at the remains of his home destroyed by wildfire in Santa Rosa, California, on Oct. 11, 2017.
Rush said he and his wife and dog escaped with only their medication, a bag of dog food when flames overtook their entire neighborhood on October 9. The toll from Northern California's ranging wildfires continued to grow as officials said the fires destroyed up to 2,000 structures and killed at least 17 people.
David McNew, Getty Images
The sun shines behind a smoky sky and scorched trees at the family-owned winery, Signorello Estate, on Napa's Silverado Trail, which was destroyed by the Atlas Fire, on Oct. 11, 2017 near Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 17 people have been killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties.
Elijah Nouvelage, AFP/Getty Images
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood Oct. 11, 2017, in Santa Rosa, California
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday to help battle infernos which have left at least 21 people dead and thousands homeless.
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
A U.S. flag hangs on a tree in the wildfire ravaged Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa, California, Oct. 11, 2017.
The death toll from some of California's worst ever wildfires rose to 17 as thousands of firefighters battled to bring the infernos under control. The fires which have devastated California's wine country are already among the deadliest ever in the western US state and officials warned they expect the toll to go up.
Jeff Chiu, The Associated Press
A law enforcement officer blocks a road as flames from a wildfire burn in a residential area in Santa Rosa, Calif., Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
A truck burns as fire ravages the Napa wine region in California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
A resident rushes to save his home as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in widespread wildfires that are burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Fire consumes a home as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in a widespread wildfire that is burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Flames overtake a structure as nearby homes burn in theNapa wine region in California on October 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region. / AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSONJOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
The remains of fire damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in a widespread wildfire that is burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
GLEN ELLEN, CA - OCTOBER 09: Fire consumes a home as out of control wildfires move through the area on October 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in a widespread wildfire that is burning in Napa and Sonoma counties. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter pulls a hose in front of a burning house in the Napa wine region of California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Fire consumes a home as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in widespread wildfires that are burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Fire consumes a barn as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in widespread wildfires that are burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
The remains of fire damaged homes after an out of control wildfire moved through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in widespread wildfires that are burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
A resident rushes to save his home as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in widespread wildfires that are burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Rich Pedroncelli, The Associated Press
Flames from a wildfire consume a a three car garage at a home Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, east of Napa, Calif. Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through Northern California early Monday, sending residents on a headlong flight to safety through smoke and flames as homes burned. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
The Signorello Estate winery burns in the Napa wine region in California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
A resident rushes to save his home as an out of control wildfire moves through the area on Oct. 9, 2017 in Glen Ellen, California. Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in widespread wildfires that are burning in Napa and Sonoma counties.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Flames ravage a home in the Napa wine region in California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Fire glows on a hillside in Napa, California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
A tent structure built for the 2017 Safeway Open burns on a golf course at the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images file
Firefighters assess the scene as a house burns in the Napa wine region of California on Oct. 9, 2017.
Rich Pedroncelli, The Associated Press
Flames from a wildfire burn Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif. The fire is one of several burning across Northern California's wine country.
Ben Margot, The Associated Press
Fire burns a Hilton hotel on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through Northern California, sending residents on a headlong flight to safety through smoke and flames as homes burned.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Resident Louis Reavis views his burned classic Corvette at his home in Napa, California on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven fires continue to whip through the region.
Rich Pedroncelli, The Associated Press
Rivers of melted metal flow from a vehicle parked at a home, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, that was destroyed by a wildfire near Napa, Calif. Wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through California wine country sending thousands fleeing as flames raged unchecked through high-end resorts, grocery stores and tree-lined neighborhoods.
This combination of photos shows the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif. The bottom image taken Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, and provided by the California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division, shows the damage after a wildfire swept through the area. The top undated image provided by Google Earth shows the area before the fire. (Google Earth (top), California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division (bottom) via AP)
Jeff Chiu, The Associated Press
Mary Caughey, center in blue, reacts with her son Harrison, left, after finding her wedding ring in debris at her home destroyed by fires in Kenwood, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017.
David McNew, Getty Images
SANTA ROSA, CA - OCTOBER 10: A chicken that survived a firestorm in the area of Foxtail Court stands in its scorched cage, on October 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, at least 1,500 homes have burned and 11 people have died as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread in eight Northern California counties. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew, Getty Images
A neighborhood is destroyed by fire in the area of Foxtail Court, on Oct. 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, at least 1,500 homes have burned and 11 people have died as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread in eight Northern California counties.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Smoke billows from a neighborhood that was destroyed by a fast moving wild fire on Oct. 9, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Ten people have died in wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed over 1,500 homes and businesses in several Northen California counties.
David McNew, Getty Images
A neighborhood is destroyed by fire in the area of Foxtail Court, on Oct. 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, at least 1,500 homes have burned and 11 people have died as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread in eight Northern California counties.
David McNew, Getty Images
A neighborhood is destroyed by fire in the area of Foxtail Court, on Oct. 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, at least 1,500 homes have burned and 11 people have died as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread in eight Northern California counties.
David McNew, Getty Images
A neighborhood is destroyed by fire in the area of Foxtail Court, on Oct. 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, at least 1,500 homes have burned and 11 people have died as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread in eight Northern California counties.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
A McDonald's restaurant is seen after burning down in Santa Rosa, California, on Oct. 10, 2017.
More than 1,500 structures have burned and at least 10 deaths have been reported as a result of multiple wind-driven fires that continue to ravage the area.
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
TOPSHOT - People watch water-dropping helicopters amidst smoke from the Canyon Fire 2, Oct. 9, 2017 in Orange, California.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
Flames shoot out from a window as the Signorello Estate winery burns in the Napa wine region of California on Oct. 9, 2017.
More than a dozen fast-moving wildfires tearing through through California's wine country have killed at least 10 people, destroying hundreds of homes, authorities said on October 9.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
The remains of an Arby's restaurant is seen after burning down in Santa Rosa, California, on Oct. 10, 2017.
Firefighters encouraged by weakening winds were battling 17 large wildfires on Tuesday in California which have left at least 13 people dead, thousands homeless and ravaged the state's famed wine country.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images
TOPSHOT - A burned home smolders in Glen Ellen, California on Oct. 9, 2017.
Multiple wind-driven fires continue to ravage the area burning structures and causing widespread evacuations.
Now, the house is gone, their son is dead and the couple and their daughter are hospitalized in three different Northern California burn centers.
“Our minds are swirling,” said Mindi Ramos, Sara’s sister. “We’ve lost our nephew. Everyone is in critical care right now. We don’t know if Sara or Jon — we don’t know what they remember. We don’t know if they know that Kai is gone.”
Ramos, who grew up in the tight-knit community, said her family got a call from the Shepherds around 1 a.m. Monday to let them know they were evacuating. Time passed and when they didn’t hear more, Ramos’ parents grew nervous and checked the hospital in the nearby town of Ukiah.
It was then, Ramos said, that they learned their son-in-law had been brought in for burns. They later found out about the other family members.
Hanssen, a 46-year-old construction worker and sculptor, said he spoke with Jon Shepherd by phone shortly after they got a call to evacuate as flames lapped on the ridge across the valley. Shepherd said he was leaving with his wife and children. Hanssen decided to stay, hoping to save his home.
But the fire sped across the mountain too quickly, pushed by fierce winds. Within a half-hour, the windows blew in and everything inside Hanssen’s home was on fire.
“It was like a nuclear blast wave that hit,” he said. “The embers were insane. They penetrated everything and set everything on fire.”
Hanssen retreated to the trailer and shut himself in with his dog. At one point, he stepped out and grabbed a piece of hose that held some trapped water, then soaked himself and resumed hiding.
When the winds died down, Hanssen came out. Everything had burned. Water tanks had melted.
The only things left were the trailer that sheltered him and a backhoe.
“I really should be dead right now, and the only reason I lived was an act of God, or something,” he said.
The Shepherds had tried to drive down the mountain to escape the fire. Their two charred vehicles were blocking the road, doors still ajar from when they apparently abandoned them and fled on foot, Hanssen said.
Irma Muniz, Sara Shepherd’s childhood friend who lives in Redwood Valley, evacuated with her family when a neighbor knocked on her door early Monday and told them to get out. Her house burned to the ground.
The 40-year-old photographer, who is 38 weeks pregnant with her third child, is now staying in a trailer on a friend’s property.
She remembers driving up to the Shepherds’ home last year to take photos of the family for a Christmas card. It was the first time she had met the children and remembers how Kai was timid, giggling as she had the family pose in the woods.
Now, the surviving Shepherds face a lengthy road to recovery. Kressa Shepherd, a Ukiah High School junior and talented artist, had both legs amputated beneath her knees, Ramos said.
Relatives are raising money to cover medical expenses and to prepare to eventually bring the family to live with Sara Shepherd’s parents in Redwood Valley. Neighbors have offered to help retrofit the house to make it wheelchair accessible, Ramos said.
She said the Shepherds could not get fire insurance for their home due to its remote location.
Hanssen is staying with a friend in Pacifica, near San Francisco, thankful he survived and that his two children weren’t with him at the time.
“I lost everything that didn’t matter and I kept everything that did,” he said of his family. “I’m not going to go back up on the mountain anytime soon.”
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