Miami Valley woman keeping tabs on family living close to wildfires out west

DAYTON — As wildfires burn out west, a Miami Valley woman is getting constant updates from her family.

>> PHOTOS: West Coast wildfires prompting evacuations, destroying structures

Jessica Nelson grew up in Pinole, California. She now lives in Dayton because her husband is in the Air Force.

“It’s very scary, especially being away,” Nelson said.

While she is more than 2,000 miles from the flames, her extended family is much closer, during California’s worst fire season on record.

“I would say this is worse than what I could remember ever seeing,” Nelson said.

One of the fires came within three miles of her extended family’s home. They had to evacuate. Other family members are ready to leave if they have to.

Nelson’s mother is already in Ohio and she might need to extend her trip.

“We’ve been talking to my dad back home, and he was pretty emotional and told her that she might be better staying in Ohio for a few weeks until the air quality is better. He was pretty upset about it. It’s very hard to breathe,” Nelson said.

She said it is difficult to be away during this disaster.

“The community really does come together, and being away from that, you know it’s really sad. It makes you feel very helpless,” Nelson said.

More than 100 major fires have now burned across 11 western states.

Cox Media Group