Fire approaching from Big Creek and Jose Basin.

September 5th, 2020

The First tree engulfed in flames over the West mountain, whitnessed by Sierra Marina employees.
‍
September 5th, 2020

One of the many devastated areas of Big Creek, a before and after of the same street.

One of Shaver Lakes oldest landmarks, The Point Restaurant. The fire was quickly approaching this area, firefighters make a desperate effort to back burn up the mountain, in order to save these structures.

Jake Karam soaking customers' boats at Sierra Marina, preparing for the worst of what was yet to come. Embers the size of apples were beginning to rain from the sky, along with the thick layer of ash and smoke. Any one of the 400+ boats docked at Sierra Marina could've been ignited by these embers, causing a chain reaction of explosions across the marina. Had it not been for the Sierra Marina crew woking day and night to protect the dock, the environmental damage of losing the marina would have deemed Shaver lake toxic for years.

The Sierra Marina Store immersed in ash and smoke.

September 5th, 2020
6:00am

Ethan Sandstrom watches in anguish as his home away from home sits vulnerably at the mercy of the Creek Fire.

September 6th, 2020
6:30am

Seth Sandstrom persistantly spraying down the boats docked at the Marina, in an effort to withstand falling embers.

September 5th, 2020
9:00am

Firefighters preparing for the fire to meet the highway directly in front of Sierra Marina.

September 6th, 2020
11:00am

West mountain, viewpoint of the marina.

September 6th, 2020
12:00pm

The Creek Fire making is was down the west mountain. First responders assemble in the parking lot, Sierra Marina has offered all pontoon boats as emergency evacuation vessels if needed.

September 6th, 2020
12:00pm

This picture does not give enough justice to the overwhelming stress depicted in this moment. The speed and size of the Creek Fire coming over the mountain created a powerful backdraft that drew the entire marina toward the shore. The immense strength of this vacuum caused the front gangways to tear apart, which resulted in the destruction of our electrical and phone line connections; as well as our ability to get off the dock without the use of a boat.

September 6th, 2020
12:30pm

Seth Sandstrom and Terry Kifer desperately trying to keep the dock together so as to maintain our ability to get off the dock. Ultimately we lost this battle...

September 6th, 2020
12:30pm

One last parting view of THE Marina, hoping and praying it would still be there in the morning; as the marina crew was advised to evacuate.

September 6th, 2020
2:00pm

Shortly after, the West mountain was completely defaced by the quick moving fire.

September 6th, 2020
2:30pm

The West mountain completely overcome by fire, this image was take standing in the upper parking lot of Sierra Marina.

September 6th, 2020
2:30pm

Sierra Marina crew waiting for Hot Shot Crew to escort them down the mountain.

September 5th, 2020
2:30pm

Video was taken as the Marina crew was being escorted down the mountain on September 6th, 2020 around 3:00pm. The video starts right in front of the dam, and goes just past the pump house. The temperature reading outside the truck, read over 300 degrees as they drove through this section of the fire.

This is one of the views just past the point, the following morning.

September 7th, 2020
10:00am