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20 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | November/December 2021 WILDFIRE TAKES EMPLOYEE'S HOME BUT NOT HIS SPIRIT Ben Johnson and his family were on the cusp of a relaxing week of vacation in Lake Tahoe when the CZU Lightning Complex fires started burning not far from their home in Boulder Creek, California, in August 2020. The night before they were to leave, police helicopters started flying over their town broadcasting evacuation orders. "We decided at that moment to take everything we planned to go camping with and hope for the best," Johnson said. Days later, Johnson learned their home was one of nearly 1,500 structures completely destroyed by the wildfire. "Everyone in the San Lorenzo Valley community was so open to helping out all the fire victims, from the churches to other residents," Johnson said. "The help those folks gave my family and hundreds of other fire victims was what kept us going. We didn't have anything." Johnson, his wife and four children lived in a hotel while they worked through the insurance claim process. A supervisor on the PG&E Central Coast account, Johnson leaned in to his 25-year career at Davey to help center himself amidst the tragedy. "I was working on the PG&E Mission account at the time of the fire and was sent to work with the Davey Tree Surgery Company crews helping with restoration efforts from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burning further north," he said. "After our work there Above: Firefighters battle a hotspot in Boulder Creek, California, after a wildfire. The CZU Lightning Complex fires burned there in 2020 and destroyed close to 1,500 structures, including a Davey employee's home. Left: Ben Johnson adds his handprint to the wall of volunteers who helped build the community toolshed in Boulder Creek. Photo courtesy Dawn Roh of High Council Foundation ended, I was able to go back and actually help with the restoration efforts on the CZU fire damage." Helping his own town recover proved therapeutic. "That was kind of the most healing part, being able to work on the CZU restoration and seeing the devastation firsthand," Johnson said. "It was a whole community that got ravaged. Being around it helped with the feelings of hopelessness. It was about getting to work and getting the power back on for everyone." Travis Evans, district manager, Santa Cruz Residential/ Commercial office, heard about a project in Johnson's hometown to build a toolshed to make construction and yard tools available for those rebuilding. Evans connected Johnson with the organizers of the community toolshed project in Boulder Creek. He jumped at the chance to help. Johnson and a Davey Surgery crew volunteered to prune trees to make space for the toolshed and to improve safety around the shed area, which included picnic tables and a play area for children. Davey employees Jesus Gonzalez, Rojelio Hernandez and Fabio Lopez all lent a hand. "We were on the ground floor of getting the toolshed running," Johnson said. "It opened up this summer." Now one year after the fire destroyed their home, Johnson and his family are in the permitting process to rebuild. "I'm grateful my family is OK," Johnson said. "Hopefully this time next year we are moving into a brand-new home." STEWARDSHIP

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