By
Mike Bodine/Register Staff
âShow Big Pine home is where the heart is,â Sherri Newman of Jakeâs Saloon said in a press release announcing its own benefit fundraiser for victims of the Center Fire. âThe time is now to show our support at home. Bring it in, bring it big, bring it for Big Pine.â
Relief efforts for victims of the blaze continue to be organized, locally and throughout the state. There are fundraisers and clean-ups of all sorts planned for the days and weeks ahead.
By
Mike Gervais/Register Staff
With more high winds forecast this week, firefighters remain in Big Pine monitoring the burn area left by the Center Fire that destroyed 19 homes on Friday.
CalFire investigators are also on scene, assessing damages, the path of destruction and the blazeâs point of origin near the Bernasconi Education Center as they determine a cause.
âThe fire was called at 100 percent contained at 18:00 (6 p.m.) Sunday, but we still have resources on scene mopping up and looking for hot spots,â said CalFire Battalion Chief Mike Smith.
Sheâs been called dynamic, determined, gracious, fierce, compassionate, resourceful, even rebellious.
Sheâs been labeled a firebrand, a trailblazer, a pioneer, an activist, a do-gooder and a go-getter.
At heart, sheâs a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and by trade a retired laboratory technologist and politician.
In reality, Bishop resident Betty Denton is a woman who defies description; someone whoâs spent a life pursuing myriad dreams and goals, helping others to achieve theirs, and affecting lasting change for the good of the community.
