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In 2002, former Cupertino Planning Commissioner Geoff Patnoe and his wife, Christine, left Cupertino for San Diego to buy their first house. On Oct. 26 of 2003, just one day before their second anniversary, their house in San Diego was destroyed in the Cedar Fire, the worst in state history.
The Patnoes and their 2-year-old Corgi, Spenser, are safe and currently staying with relatives.
"It is ironic that we moved to San Diego so my wife and I could afford to buy a house. Then it was burned down to ashes," said Patnoe, who now works as chief of staff to San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
Oct. 26 was the first day of the forest fire. Patnoe left home early for work that morning because the fire was threatening the East San Diego County district he works for. Within an hour, his house, along with hundreds of houses, was engulfed in the blaze. His wife was able to rescue only a few family pictures and the dog.
Patnoe, who has helped victims get immediate needs for the past two weeks, said he can understand the victims' feelings and needs because he is one of them. "We share a common bond," said Patnoe, 31.
Although the fire devastated everything, Patnoe is still in good spirits.
"A lot of things like my high school yearbooks are now ashes," Patnoe said. "It hasn't been easy but things could be worse. What is important is that my wife and dog are safe."
Patnoe, who still considers Cupertino his hometown, said he felt touched when his Cupertino friends, including council members Richard Lowenthal and Sandra James, called him after the fire.
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