These Photos Show What It’s Like To Live In A Walmart Parking Lot After Fleeing A Wildfire

Displaced Butte County residents have set up a makeshift camp nearby a Walmart parking lot, after being displaced by the Camp fire, in Chico, California, Nov. 16.

Magalia resident Carla Bounds, left, kisses her dog, Gracie, with Mark Kempton in the driver’s seat of their vehicle.

Claudia Bennett, right, hands out freshly-baked muffins. “For the grace of God, I can be here,” said Bennett.

Magalia residents Michael Crowder, 64, left, his wife, Maggie Missere-Crowder, 64, right, and their pit bull, Coco, sit by their tent. Michael Crowder, who has severe heart issues, is concerned about how sleeping in a tent with poor air quality could affect his health.

Paradise resident Elizabeth Erle sorts through donated clothes on Nov. 16. “That day, it felt like I was going through real-life hell,” said Erle. “It was the most terrifying experience that any human being can endure.” Erle was displaced by the fire and is now staying with a friend in their RV in Yuba City.

Oroville resident Dakota Reiley has been sleeping in a tent nearby the parking lot. “Literally, these people lost homes and have nowhere to go,” said Reiley. Reiley left his home in Oroville after the city was placed under a voluntary evacuation order.

Chico resident Destiny Davis, 19, pushes a cart of blankets that her family hand-stitched for people displaced by the Camp fire.

Magalia resident James Sallaz leans on his friend’s truck, which he has been sleeping in. “About 10 minutes after we were told to evacuate, we saw the flames coming up over towards our fence,” said Sallaz. He hitched a ride with a Butte County sheriff out of Magalia into Chico when the Camp fire broke out last week.

Paradise resident Elizabeth Erle embraces her dog. “I actually thought I was going to die,” said Erle. “I held on my cross, I looked at my dog, and I said we were going to get out. I really do believe God was behind me.”

A displaced Butte County resident sits in his car at the Walmart parking lot.

Volunteers cook food for people who have been displaced by the Camp fire.

Makenzi Larimer, right, stands among boxes of donations brought from Gardnerville, Nevada.

Magalia residents Lili Batres, 13, and her father, Luis, drive off after packing up their belongings from their tent at the Walmart parking lot. Luis Batres has severe asthma, and his family was moved into a nearby shelter later that night.

Luis Batres packs up his belongings from his tent at the parking lot.