Holbrook fine artist and her son lose homes to Tamarack Fire

One of the people who lost their home of the Tamarack Fire in Holbrook was fine artist Joyce Pike.

The 92-year-old Oil Painters of America Master artist’s home burned down July 22 as the fire raced up into the forest above Highland Avenue, claiming the homes of Pike and her son and daughter-in-law Richard and Michelle.

A Gofundme account has been established for the family by the Pike’s nephew Robert Lamar.

“They each left with one suicase and are now staying with Marcia and Ron Furtado,” Lamar said in his post. “Everybody that knows this family has felt their giving spirits. Any help with rebuilding their lives would be greatly appreciated.”

Pike’s is one of a dozen fundraisers posted to the gofundme site for victims of the Tamarack Fire, which is 82 percent contained, according to the National Interagency Coordination Center situation report for Wednesday morning.

The fire claimed 68,696 acres across Alpine and Douglas County from the Sierra to the Pine Nut Mountains.

The 361 firefighters working the blaze are being coordinated out of the Douglas County Fairgrounds after decamping from Douglas High School on Monday.

A Sierra Front team has assumed command of the fire from the Rocky Mountain Type 1 team that came in on the third day of the fire.

According to Wednesday’s situation report there are seven hand-crews eight engines and five helicopters still working the $26.4 million fire that claimed 25 structures.

The remaining 18 percent of the fire perimeter is pinned against the Sierra crest, according to fire officials, and is “contained by natural barriers and limited fuels.” Officials are working to strengthen containment lines and assess their options for the fire’s extreme western front.

To find out more about how to help families affected by fire visit gofundme.com and search for Tamarack Fire.