Flagstaff bands together to help honeymooners evacuated in Slide Fire
May 23, 2014, 2:16 PM | Updated: 2:56 pm
The Slide Fire near Sedona, Ariz. is interrupting a lot of travelers’ plans for the Memorial Day weekend.
Nathan and Mickella Westerfield were recently married and decided to camp near Flagstaff for their honeymoon. They were some of the people evacuated when the fire began to burn out of control and had to leave everything behind.
The couple was cleared to return to the area and take their things.
“It is just camping gear and stuff like that, but it still was all of our wedding money and we still do want it back,” Nathan told Karie Dozer of News/Talk 92.3 KTAR’s Rob & Karie.
#slidefire #slidefirehoneymooners say all their camping gear was covered with ash but safe! #celebrating #grateful pic.twitter.com/qVgQOk9XXf
— KTAR's Karie Dozer (@kariedozer) May 23, 2014
After being evacuated, the couple was taken to stay at a Red Cross center.
“They were so good to us,” said Mickella. “It was like being home again.”
“I love everyone here,” Nathan added. “They were so kind, so generous.”
But that wasn’t the end of the Westerfield’s trip. Sinagua Middle School Principal Tari Popham put the couple up in a local Marriott, which in turn got them a free meal at Lumberyard Brewery.
“Everybody recognized us,” said Nathan. “Everyone was stopping and making sure if we were OK. It was great. Everyone here is fantastic.”
Mickella even made a friend. The only other woman with her name in Arizona lives in Flagstaff and the pair found they had a lot in common. The new friend even offered the couple help in finding a place to live and jobs in Flagstaff if they decide to move there.
