‘Crushed:’ Stillman Fire destroys Crook County couple’s home, claims two pets, but they reunite with two more

(Update: adding video, comment from residents)

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Sparks flying from the tire rims of a Prineville woman driving by on state Highway 126 allegedly ignited the 10-acre Stillman Fire last Friday. Two residents awakened by banging on their RV home's door lost their home and some pets to the blaze.  But not all.

"I had to see for myself, and there was a 30-foot fireball about 20 feet behind our RV," resident Alex Milner said Tuesday.

His wife, Jai Milner, said she was "crushed, because in your head you see the smoke and you see the fire and you know what is happening, but in your head, you're kind of thinking, 'Well, maybe this survived, maybe that survived."

The Milners were taking a nap in their RV when they were awakened by the sound of officers yelling and pounding on the door. They only had about 60 seconds to gather their pets and their belongings and get out before it went up in flames. 

"There was kind of nothing going on in my head, other than just grab whoever you can and go and run," said Jai.

The Milners had six dogs, six cats, two ferrets and two horses -- unfortunately, as of now, it appears two cats didn't survive.

Jai said, "We had a kitten that we had to say 'sorry,' because by the time you're in there the second time, it's full of smoke, and the flames are crawling up the side and the generator is right there, so you're thinking - boom!"

When they initially escaped the flames, they were taken to a temporary Red Cross shelter, causing them to be separated from two of their dogs, Tucker and Faleen. Luckily, firefighters brought Faleen to the shelter - and Tucker was found waiting in the yard when they returned to see what was left, which wasn't much.

Alex said, "It very relieving to know that the two dogs that we didn't have with us when we made it out still made it out."

Despite the immense loss, Jai and Alex are embracing the bright side of a tragic situation.  

"We lost so much, but we still have each other and almost all of the living things," Alex said. "It's still more than I even expected, when it was happening."

Jai added, "You've got to find the bright side of things, otherwise you get bogged down in the loss."

Another bright spot: The Milners say community support has been overwhelming, and they're grateful to strangers giving to them in a time of need. A friend has set up a fundraiser to help them cover the costs to rebuild. 

Currently, they're staying in the a building on the property that didn't burn, and they plan to rehabilitate the rest of the property.

From earlier story:

The Crook County Sheriff's Office posted two photos and said the "happy pup" was rescued by the task force stationed in Central Oregon that helped out during the fire.

“We were woken up by pounding on the door, shouts of “fire’! and had roughly 90 seconds to get everyone out,” Jai Milner of Powell Butte told NewsChannel 21 Monday.

"We let dogs out of kennels, where they had been during our nap - and one dog, Tucker, had to be thrown outside and chased off, as he kept trying to go back in," the Stillman Road resident said. "Faline, the dachshund in the firefighters' picture, usually stays close by me, but we were separated."

"On the side of the road, the dogs that had been let out of kennels were rounded up. Our ferrets were in Faline's kennel and when I did a head count and found Faline and Tucker still gone, all I could do was pray that they hadn't been trapped on our property.

"The next morning, they told us that both dogs had been seen, and by the afternoon I had Faline the Ween in my arms. That evening, we went back to the property - and Tucker was in the yard, waiting for us." 

Jail Milner added, "Neither dog has wanted to let us out of their sights. Both are happy and healthy, other than some smoke, being extremely exhausted, and Tucker had a little singe on his paws."

Jai Milner said their RV home was the first structure hit by the fire, while husband Alex said their "home was the only one lost, thank goodness."

Milner is president of the Cascade Mounted Warriors archery troupe, and she's thankful her horses all made it off her property safely. Sadly, the couple did lose some pets, a kitten and another cat whose remains were found Monday, but "still no sign of the others," she said.