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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Wyoming — Of all the settings for a new cabin, the Trujillo family chose this one — a plot of land surrounded by seemingly endless tall trees that were blackened by a wildfire.
The Tokewanna Fire claimed eight cabins last July, as powerful winds propelled the flames through hundreds of acres of timber. Sam Trujillo’s old cabin was one of the eight.
“Fifty-five-mile-an-hour winds just came through here,” Trujillo said Monday. “We were just part of that perfect storm.”
Devastated by the fire, Trujillo said he initially contemplated selling the property, but after further discussion with his children decided to rebuild.
“It was a very beautiful, very special place,” Trujillo said.
It’s a place Trujillo will always come to remember the determination of his late wife, Deanne.
“That was something that she taught her children, and that’s why we’re doing this,” he said.
Jen Trujillo-Davidson said a well on the property that survived the fire was the last thing her mom saw built.
“It was almost like, you know, the fire came in and destroyed everything and it’s almost like she put her arms around it and made sure that it was saved,” the daughter said.
The family said they are pleased with the decision to rebuild and what has come of the project: a bigger and better cabin capable of housing new family memories.
“It’s just amazing what Mother Nature can do — she can be mean, she can be ugly, but she can also be awfully beautiful,” Trujillo said. “My children are excited, I’m excited about that —about the future and not letting things like this stop you from living and from going forward.”
