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American Morning

Interview with Lori Lacy

Aired June 25, 2002 - 08:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go back to Arizona right now and that fire that continues to burn. As we mentioned, President Bush headed out there today for a firsthand look at that giant blaze that's already burned 330,000 acres, just staggering numbers, in less than a week's time. Thousands have been evacuated to the town of Eagar. That's 40 miles east of the fire.

Lori Lacy is one of those who has fled her home. She's now camped out on the grounds of a local rodeo in Eagar, where she's hoping now for the best and getting ready for the possibility of the worst.

Lori is with us live this morning. Lori, good morning to you.

LORI LACY, ARIZONA EVACUEE: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: Tell us how are you doing today and how are the conditions there where you're camped out?

LACY: It's just pretty smoky. And I'm doing well. There's just a lot of smoke that's blowing through from Show Low area.

HEMMER: I understand on the ground where you're camped out there are no trees. It's extremely dry. It must be very dusty.

LACY: Yes.

HEMMER: Tell us about the conditions where you and so many others are, Lori.

LACY: It's very dusty here. It's just dirty, dirt all over your face. But we're just lucky to be here. It's just pretty emotional for everybody and devastating.

HEMMER: Lori, there was a parking lot for a local grocery store that was available. There was a football field with a domed top on it. How did you end up at the rodeo site?

LACY: When we were evacuated on Wednesday from Linden, they had us come out to the football field because we had R.V.s and travel trailers, I mean over to the rodeo grounds. So that's kind of how we ended up here.

HEMMER: Yes, Lori, we understand you and your parents packed up and headed out, I think it was mid-week last week, about Wednesday.

LACY: Yes, it was Wednesday.

HEMMER: What did you pack? What did you take? And do you have enough, Lori?

LACY: We don't have enough clothes and stuff. We took a three day supply like they were asking. And food and water and books. I know now things I should have taken, and that's, you know, but at least it's something...

HEMMER: Such as what?

LACY: I would have taken more clothes, more things to read, just comforting things for my children. More water.

HEMMER: You had mentioned this -- I apologize. You had mentioned the smoke. I understand that it's rather prevalent where you are right there, even though you're 40 miles east of the fire. Have you gone into town? Have you gotten any word about what's happening in town, maybe where your home or the homes of others are located, Lori?

LACY: No. They just say that there were over 300 homes burned. It's just kind of up in arms. They don't know really what's going on at this point.

HEMMER: Yes. How are you checking on friends and how are you checking on the elderly?

LACY: From the dome in Springerville. We're just going in and they have a wall, A through Z, where there was messages left. And that's kind of how you have communication at this point to leave notes.

HEMMER: And what's being said among the people who have camped out at your location, Lori?

LACY: It's very detrimental and traumatic for them. You see things on TV all the time and you never think it would happen to you. And I know it's not as bad as 9/11, but it's very devastating for the people. But the town has really come together, of Springerville, and eager to pull together for all the people, and it's wonderful. And the American Legion has done a lot and the Red Cross. And the sheriff's posse has let us stay here and gave us water and restroom facilities, and it's just great.

HEMMER: Lori, have you considered the possibility of losing your home?

LACY: Yes, we have. Basically all we can do is just pray and have faith at this point.

HEMMER: Will you go back whether your home is there or not, and if your home is not there, will you rebuild?

LACY: Yes, we would go back. We would just live in the trailers on my mom and dad's property because that's all we have.

HEMMER: President Bush plans on being out there this morning. I don't know if you guys have talked about that at all, but your reaction to the support you're getting across the country and especially from the White House.

LACY: It's wonderful that he would even, such a small town as this, that he'd even come here and support the people. It's wonderful.

HEMMER: Best of luck to you, Lori, and to your family and your parents and just about everybody else who is in your location there at that rodeo site.

Thank you, Lori.

LACY: Thank you so much, Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Lori Lacy, again, east of Show Low in the town of Eagar, Arizona, about 40 miles east of here that fire is burning.

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