Homeowners in California and Oregon fled their homes by the thousands this year to escape wildfires. A smaller number, but still in the thousands, returned to find their homes gone.
Before the official cleanup, it's natural for people to want to go through the ashes to find at least a few of their belongings. The Christian organization Samaritan's Purse is helping in the effort in both states.
Todd Taylor from Samaritan's Purse explains the process.
HQ for Samaritan's Purse while it is in the Rogue Valley is at the New Life Church of the Nazarene in Medford.