SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — On the morning of July 23, Kathy and Andy Swift of Hope learned that their eldest son, David, and his wife, Margaret, had been forced to flee their rented home in Santa Clarita, Calif., due to a fast-approaching wildfire that has come to be known as the Sand wildfire.

At the time, David, who works for a production company, was up north of their home in Sand Canyon, home to popular film and TV rental locations, including Disney's Golden Oak Ranch. Margaret was home that morning, and according to Kathy Swift, she had only enough time to gather their pets and some valuables before evacuating.

"She could only take the things she could fit into her small car," said Swift.

David and Margaret had to wait two days before they got word about their home, and even then, they had to rely on aerial news photos to try and learn as much as they could. And a photo of the canyon where they lived showed all but one home burned to the ground.

"Vaporized" as Kathy Swift would later describe it. "Due to the California five-year drought, the fire was so hot that it literally vaporized EVERYTHING left behind in their house"

As of a late morning report on July 26, the Sand wildfire has burned more than 37,000 acres in the Santa Clarita Valley mountains, and more than 3,000 firefighters continue to battle the blaze, according to the U.S. Forest Service. According to the Los Angeles Times, the wildfire prompted the evacuation of at least 10,000 homes, "although late Monday [July 25], officials allowed most evacuees to return to their homes."

The Los Angeles Times also reported today that the blaze was 25 percent contained, and at least 18 homes had been destroyed.

And as the Swifts have since learned, their home was confirmed as one of those 18. The Swifts lived inside the San Gabriel National Monument, within the 30-mile "studio zone," and count Rancho Deluxe, Rancho Maria and Sable Ranch and Disney's Golden Oak Ranch as neighbors. Along with the Swift’s home, Sable Ranch was destroyed, according to David and news reports.

It's a long way from home for David Swift, who grew up in Hope and Margaret (Buell) grew up in Appleton. Their second wedding anniversary is today, July 26, but they have been together for nine years.

And because of the fire, they lost a lot of things, including their furniture, kitchenware, bedding, clothing, pet supplies, wedding gifts and a few family keepsakes, but as David wrote to friends and family yesterday, they still have a lot.

"Most importantly, [we] are healthy, happy and still growing in love," he said.

He said they have been humbled by the amount of support that has been offered by friends and family, in terms of housing, transport, and physical and financial support. And they are still assessing the damage, and how their renter's insurance, which does not cover wildfires, will help them.

So far, they still have not been allowed back in to access their home, but they have seen a photo, and it shows total loss.

"Sand Canyon was (and still is) a natural wonder. Old oak, sycamore and pine lived inside the riparian climate of this steep and dramatic landscape. Movie and TV audiences throughout the world know Sand Canyon as it has been featured in countless productions," David said in his letter. "Climate change absolutely influenced the incredible devastation of the Sand fire. The area has suffered from a crippling drought for the past 5+ years. Firefighters and officials cite 'fuel moisture' as a primary culprit of the fire's severity. Intense, scorching burns like the Sand fire make it very difficult for ecosystems to regenerate, as they often destroy seed stock, even among fire adapted species."

While whirling around in their loss and taking stock of where they go next, the Swift's recommendation is to plant trees. It's something that David did around their house, before they too were likely destroyed by the fire. Climate change and conservation are things David is passionate about, according to his mom.

"The act of planting a tree is a simple yet very hopeful act. It's something that everyone can do, and everyone should do, no matter where they live, how old they are, what their race or sexual preference is," said David. "Every man, woman and child used to plant a tree on Arbor Day in the United States, and large initiatives like this have previously solved problems like the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Trees do an amazing job of sequestering carbon, replenishing aquifers, providing habitat and lowering the soil's surface temperature, allowing fungi and microbes to trap even more carbon. The Southern California region has just lost a critical carbon sink that will influence air and water quality for decades to come. We need to continue protecting critical ecosystems and habitats, like this area was by our current president, and demand that our current and future leaders work toward this end. For more information, visit treepeople.org."

Reflecting on what her son has said both in public on his Facebook page and in private, Kathy Swift said, "I am so proud of my kids. The things they regret losing the most are their wedding gifts, family heirlooms, but mostly the amazing canyon that they lived in. Yet they know they and their animals are still breathing and that's all that is important."

The family has set up a GoFundMe page for David and Margaret Swift.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.