Tubbs Fire 2017 rebuild timeline for the Sherwood Family. We share these pictures/timeline of our rebuild to offer you hope and to let you know that you can and will rebuild, together! Scroll to the bottom to learn about the Block Captain program!
The Sherwood Family - Larkfield Estates/Mark West Area/ Unincorporated Sonoma County
Home destroyed: October 9, 2017
Home rebuilt and family moved in: August 8, 2019
Before Tubbs Fire
After Tubbs Fire - October 9, 2017
Lot cleanup begins! December 2017
Takes five days to complete cleanup
Cleanup managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - part of County cleanup program
County places lot cleanup placard on lot - December 2017
E.P.A. declares hazard cleanup complete by placing this sign on our lot - December 2017
Selected builder - Stonefield Restoration Development from Los Angeles Area - March 2018
Reimagining our new home, layout - March 2018
Block Captain program starts - November 2017
Banners placed at every entrance/exit to neighborhood. Website created.
Finalized rebuild floorplan/design - June 2018
Block Captain, neighborhood summer BBQ “rebuild celebration” - July 2018
Power arrives on the lot! August 2018
Breaking ground on the rebuild! October 2018
Construction in progress - January 2019
Picking out interior design options - February/March 2019
Painting the new house - June 2019
Rebuild done - August 2019
Larkfield Estates neighborhood - 2019
Larkfield Estates neighborhood - 2020
Our home today - January 21, 2025
Larkfield Estates neighborhood rebuild progress videos:
Larkfield Estates 2019
Unincorporated Sonoma County
Larkfield Estates 2020
Unincorporated Sonoma County
Block Captain Program:
During the rebuild process, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore created a Block Captain program. The program helped communicate rebuild information to neighborhoods within the Tubbs Fire zone of Supervisor Gore’s district. Below is a map of neighborhoods destroyed by the Tubbs Fire and where block captains were established.
Example: Block Captain Regular Agenda:
Meeting location: Sonoma County Water Agency (large conference room, located 3 miles from block zones)
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 7am-9am
Agenda:
Welcome and introductions – Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore
State legislative representatives’ update
Congressman Huffman update
FEMA update
Sonoma County Disaster Recovery Center Update – Permit Sonoma Director
Debris removal schedule update
EPA hazard removal schedule update
Rebuilding permitting schedule/costs/fee schedule
Small Business Association update
Loan program opportunities
US Postal Service
Mail forwarding/routing system
Reinstallation of mailboxes
Utilities update
California American Water
PGE
AT&T/Sonic/Comcast
Sewer system
Sonoma County roads/infrastructure
Block needs assessment
Online survey development and implementation
Finalize needs assessment and consistent review
Rebuild workshops
Builder outreach
Assign builders to captains for outreach
Insurance
Develop insurance group discussions
Sewer connection
Fencing collaboration
Community improvements
Community park
Sidewalks to Riebli elementary school
Repaving of damaged public roadways
Community engagement
Block captain outreach and awareness in each neighborhood
Collaborate on neighborhood gatherings, socials, events
One year anniversary preparation
Re-greening program – Tree donations for each home site
Funding
Develop 501c(3) to leverage state/federal funding opportunities
Larkfield Resilience Fund
Items for next agenda
Identify guest speakers
Review needs assessment list
Pictures from Block Captain meetings
Fire Chief Heine addresses block captain questions on fire safety
Sheriff’s Office addresses block captain questions on public safety
Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore welcomes block captains for our weekly meeting
Additional Block Captain Resources
Source: After the Fire USA
How to Organize the Local Recovery with Block Captains / Zone Captains