Update:
The Red Cross sent the following statement to ABC10 on Wednesday evening.
"After a disaster, as the needs of a community change and as more long-term housing solutions are identified, the Red Cross works with local officials to coordinate shelter closures.
Emergency shelters typically aren’t intended to stay open for long periods of time—that’s why organizations involved in relief efforts strive to help people find more suitable accommodations if their homes are left unlivable after a disaster.
We assure you, the Red Cross will continue to provide shelter support to people who lost their homes due to the Camp Fire; and we have the ability to extend our sheltering operations at Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.
Red Cross caseworkers are connecting one-on-one with people to create recovery plans unique to their needs, help them navigate paperwork and connect with aid from other community agencies. We continue to work together with federal, state and local partners to make sure each family has a plan for their recovery."
Original story:
CHICO, Calif. — For the past two months, the Robbins family of eight have called the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds home — a temporary replacement for what they lost in the Camp Fire.
But the fairgrounds, which has served as the remaining Red Cross campground in Chico, will close at the end of the month when the Red Cross' lease with the county expires.
There's a lot of uncertainty right now for hundreds of Camp Fire survivors. As claims make their way through insurance agencies, families like the Robbins are looking for places to live.
"We are here and alive and it has to get better," Ally Robbins said. "Rock bottom here we are so, there’s only one way to go."
Come Jan. 31, Ally, Adam and their six children will have to move their donated trailer elsewhere. The shelter is closing.
According to Red Cross, volunteers have been doing case work for families like the Robbins to find a more permanent solution.
"There's talk of it staying open and paying rent," said Ally's husband Adam as he held their baby girl in a blanket. "Lots of rumors flying. Main thing is have a go plan and a place to go."
The Robbins may move to Oregon, a state Ally said is more affordable. Although the state is welcoming, they don't know where exactly in Oregon they will go.
A move like that means finding new schools, new jobs, and a permanent place to call home because they cannot rebuild in Paradise. They didn't have insurance.
"We figured the right place will pop up and it never popped up," Ally said.
Ally and Adam are keeping up a good spirit despite their situation.
"At least we have something. It's a rolling turd, but it's something," Ally said with a smile.
Inside their "something" they have their family, and next door they have their neighbors who now feel like an extended family.
"Ultimately, we have to be here for each other," Adam said. "Without help from each other, there's no community."
To help the Robbins family, click here for their GoFundMe.
Continue the conversation with Madison on Facebook.
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How would you escape the massive Camp Fire in Paradise, California? When the Camp Fire ignited, it started a chain of events that allowed it to become the deadliest wildfire in California history. There was no plan to handle an evacuation on this scale, and it lead to more than 80 deaths.