ALPINE, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Alpine homeowners evacuated from the Quail Fire are now returning to their homes. Some, like the Patterson family, are finding out just how near the fire came to destroying all they had.
Walking out to the end of James Patterson’s driveway he can’t believe how close the fire came to his home.
“It’s just unbelievable, it’s just so... I don’t know how other than to say the words – just crazy,” said James Patterson, Quail Fire Evacuee.
Everywhere around his property, including right up the guest house, looks like a black, charred, mess.
“Those were the Christmas lights, right there,” said Patterson.
When the fire started Patterson and his wife were on pins and needles, worried whether or not their house would survive. Today, walking through their backyard the family is amazed the house is still standing.
“I heard on the news, I’ve seen other people’s homes, the last two weeks, other people lose their homes, and I thought that was going to happen to us. I drove away thinking that everything I had with me was all I was going to have,” said Barbie Patterson, Quail Fire Evacuee.
“Just to show you how close the fire came to their home, a basketball was left on their outside court, one half is fine, the other - charred and black,” said Reporter Brian Carlson.
What put it all in perspective was a note their son found in their mailbox when they arrived. It read – “We are proud to have saved your home, Lehi 82 B shift.”
“We were so excited to see that, we’re going to frame that,” said James Patterson.
“I am just so, so grateful,” said Barbie Patterson.
