In Northern California, forgotten victims of the wildfires struggle to regain their footing
NAPA, Calif. - Claudia and Francisco Alvarez had what they thought was a perfect situation in the mountains west of Calistoga in Napa County.
For several years, they worked and lived on the grounds of a rustic guest ranch with their two children, Steven, 7, and Sofia, 4. Claudia was in charge of housekeeping for 18 cottages. Francisco was in charge of maintenance.
They rented a three-bedroom house on the ranch property at a discount, and their employer was flexible, allowing Francisco time to drive Steven off the mountain to school in Santa Rosa, about half an hour away, and to pick him up each afternoon.
