NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Lake County California Highway Patrol officers begun a GoFundMe campaign for one of their colleagues who lost his Paradise home in the Camp fire.

CHP Officer Nick Powell formerly worked at the Clear Lake Area office. He and his family recently moved to Paradise to fulfill a dream of living amongst the big pines.

On Thursday, Nov. 8, the day the Camp fire began, Powell responded to a care center for the elderly to help evacuate the residents. While driving the residents out through the flames in his patrol car, he was involved in a collision with another fleeing resident, rendering the patrol car disabled.

Powell flagged down other motorists and got the elderly persons in his care rides to safety, while he escaped on foot before linking up with a fire truck and a ride to safety.

While this was all occurring Powell had to let his family fend for themselves and escape their beloved home on their own.

Sadly, while Powell was out helping others, his house and all his family’s belongings were destroyed.

The fundraiser can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/6duo00w?sharetype=teams&member=1090724&pc=em_co_flowinvite_a&rcid=f196449af64c47f7a9a9c8da138579eb .

The goal is $7,500.