Santa Cruz County Fire Evacuee: 'I Thought I Was Going To Die'

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Days after dry lightning sparked the CZU August Lightning Complex wildfires, music teacher Trudy Mock got a call around midnight. It was her husband, Clyde, urging her to immediately evacuate their Empire Grade home.

Embers blown in from a fire burning toward Davenport had apparently sparked a blaze that had spread near their home overnight, she said. Mock, 62, grabbed their dogs, her purse, her violin — leaving behind nine hens, instruments worth $35,000 and priceless baby photos of her children in the frenzy to flee.

Her husband, who had been working next door, returned home and hopped in one car as she followed in another. Together, they drove away from their home for what would be the last time.

"There were flames literally blowing across the road," Mock said. "To tell you the truth, I thought I was going to die."

Mock and her husband are among the 925 homeowners who had lost their homes in the wildfires that have torn through more than 85,000 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Some 2,ooo firefighters are on the front lines of the fire, which is the third-largest burning in a series of lightning-sparked fires raging across Northern California.

While the Mocks ultimately escaped, one man was not so fortunate.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office recovered the remains of Tad Jones, 73, of Last Chance, whose body was found 50 feet from his parked car on Last Chance Road, the sheriff's office said. Officials believe he was headed down a foot path, fleeing his car and the fire, when he was killed.

As the Mocks navigate this tumultuous period, they are heartened by an outpouring of support from the community. Their church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has put them up in a San Jose hotel.

When Mock's sister started an online fundraising campaign through GoFundMe to benefit her business, Mock Music, dozens of donors stepped up to give more than $13,000 to Mock as she looks to rebuild and continue working longer than she had hoped.

"[The Mocks] are wonderful people," wrote one donor. "They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it."

The generous gestures have helped the Mocks feel loved, blessed and more at ease during a trying time.

"It makes us feel like we're a lot less alone than we thought," she said.

'It Was All Faith'

Mock, a California native and longtime resident of the mountains, was no stranger to wildfires, but it was her first time facing evacuation. She had seen the videos of evacuees driving through hellish landscapes, surrounded by smoke and flames.

But now, it was her. And her mind was racing.

What it’s like driving through a wildfire at night #CZULightingComplex pic.twitter.com/LdkZBBp1Eb
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 23, 2020

She said she tried desperately to follow her husband's tail lights and recall the bends of the road that she had driven countless times before, but her view was obscured by smoke. She was unable to roll up her windows due to recent car troubles. Thick flames veiled the road at times.

"It was all faith," Mock said. "Faith and hope."

Finally, they arrived at a turnout, a safe distance from the fire. They stood there together in the dark, shaking.

"I think we both were in disbelief that we just came through," Mock said.

They regrouped at their daughter's Santa Cruz home before checking into the San Jose hotel where they've been for the past two weeks. While Mock's husband is back to work, she spends much of her time at the hotel, walking the dogs and teaching music while videoconferencing with students.

Mock, who said she plays seven instruments and has perfect pitch, is limited in what she can teach without the guitars, ʻukuleles, saxophone, clarinet, flute and recorders that are forever gone. A former student dropped off a keyboard, which has allowed her to continue teaching more classes.

She's also been steadily replacing clothes left behind in the fire. Soon, Mock said, she'll have to collect herself to start filling out emergency assistance forms.

But for now, she lacks the wherewithal. Though she doesn't show it in her voice, it's "fake it 'til you make it" right now, she said.

"We became minimalists overnight," she said. "Everything I have right now is in a bag. It's sad."

Despite all the Mocks have been through, they believe they will rebuild their lives.

"We have faith that we will come out of the ashes stronger than ever and be able to move forward because we know we have all of you behind us," the Mocks wrote in thanks to GoFundMe donors. "And for that we are eternally grateful."

Donate to the GoFundMe benefiting Mock Music here.

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