NEW RIVER, AZ — It's been six months since losing their home, but the Flammang family says their new life is still a work in progress.
"It’s a long struggle," said Matt Flammang. "There’s a lot of climbing that needs to be done to get out of that hole, but it does get better.”
Flammang, his wife Amanda and two kids were living in Magalia, California, a town just north of Paradise when the "Camp Fire" sparked in November of 2018.
The massive wildfire destroyed hundreds of homes and put thousands of lives in danger, including their 13-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.
“They were a few times where I thought it was gonna be the end," Flammang added. "I had to go through the fire to get to the kids.”
They made it out with their lives, but nothing was left of their home.
The family of four forced to live in hotel rooms and AirBnb's for months until they found a home in New River.
"You can either lay down and just let everything consume you, or you can pick up all the bases the best but you know how and move forward,' said Amanda.
She says their experience taught her family important lessons about preparing for disasters, but even more about rebuilding after one.
“Pick yourself up and a day at a time, rely on the people who love and support you," she added.
