In the Kern River Valley many signs like charred trees and the fire retardant covered rocks still bring back memories of the destructive fire season the valley fell victim to, but for one family who lost everything today’s rain meant with the new season comes new hope.
The mountains painted red and black, a reminder of just how hard this summer really was.
“Every day looking at the mountains, driving around, going to work, or driving to the kids friends’ houses, you're reminded. You know I make an effort no to drive past the house because I don't want to see the empty lot,” said Erskine Fire victim Gigi Sage.
A feeling sage knows no amount of rain will ever be able to fully wash away.
“It reminds you of that day every time, which was extremely traumatic and something that will never leave me for my entire life,” said Sage.
But with today's rain - sage says she saw beauty once again - something this valley has been missing for a while.
“The sound of the rain on the roof today, the smells, just everything being clean and fresh, it did kind of make me feel better, brighten my spirits,” said Sage.
This rain signifying the end to one chapter - and a start to the next.
“It does kind of make you feel like new beginnings. You know like this is the first of many rains that we're going to have this year and you know we hope that because of the drought that we'll have lots of rain and lots of water,” said Sage.
