x
Breaking News
More () »

MN woman's family in California 'lost everything' in Camp Fire

Kari Lazzarino's brothers and mom all lost their homes to the Camp Fire.

ALBERTVILLE, Minn. -- Kari Lazzarino is nearly 2,000 miles away from her family in Paradise, California. They lost everything in the so-called "Camp Fire."

"It's horrible. It's horrible. All of my family is there," said Lazzarino, who moved to Albertville, Minn. in 2017.

Before that, she lived in Chico, California; she also spent two years in Paradise.

"Everybody lost everything. There's nothing left," she said.

Credit: Heidi WIgdahl
Mark Lazzarino and his family lost their home to the fire and are now staying in a hotel in Chico, California.

Both of Kari's brothers lost their homes. Her older brother did not have home insurance. Her little brother, Mark Lazzarino, had a home in Magalia with his wife and three kids. The family of five is now staying in a hotel in Chico, looking for a new place to rent. Mark said the family will have to relocate.

"I have mementos of my kids that I have built for 13 years. I'm never going to get these back. Right? They're things, I know. Everyone tells me, 'Guys, they're just things.' I know, I know they're things. I know that. But these are my memories, my life. This is something I built," said Mark Lazzarino, during a FaceTime interview.

Mark Lazzarino's family's home was "flattened completely" in Magalia, California. Photo courtesy of Mark Lazzarino

Their mom also lost her mobile home, as well as the ashes of loved ones including her husband's ashes. She was forced to drive through flames to escape but not before rescuing her neighbor.

"There was as little old lady on the deck, flashing a flashlight... and she told her, 'Do you have anywhere to go? We have to go.' And the lady said, 'No, I don't have a way out'... So my mom said, 'Let's just go. You need to get your things, we're leaving now,'" Kari recalled.

Kari said a GoFundMe account has been set up to help her family. She is headed to California next week to help those affected by the fires. She's bringing an extra suitcase with her—full of supplies she can give to those in need.

Mark added, "We all need to rally. I just want everyone to rally."

Related: Give 11: California wildfire relief fund

To help those affected by the wildfires, you can donate through Give 11 and the Minnesota Community Foundation. The funds raised go directly to the Red Cross or the Animal Humane Society.

Before You Leave, Check This Out