Assisted Living Facility Evacuated In Utah County Due To Wildfire

PAYSON, Utah – Lots of people look forward to eventually going home.

No matter how long it takes.

“Yeah, Salt Lake City is my home,” said Helen Steiger with a laugh.

Helen Steiger

Steiger, whose full name is Helen Mary Steiger Romero, recently moved back to Utah after a successful career in California.

“I was on the space shuttle program,” she said. “We secretaries, everybody wanted to sit in for that bus where the astronauts were coming in.”

She says the astronauts were about as brave as they come.

Pole Creek Fire

However, she also says firefighters are just as brave in their jobs.

She’s hoping that’s the case in Utah County.

You see, Steiger is one of 30 evacuated residents from the Elk Ridge Assisted Living facility thanks to the Pole Creek Fire burning nearby.

Payson

For now, the Payson Quality Inn is their home.

“I needed to make sure I knew everyone who was accounted for,” said Chris Hermansen, who owns the assisted living facility.

When he got the call Thursday afternoon he needed to evacuate everyone, he said it took a while to get everything the residents needed.

Chris Hermansen

“A lot of them had medications, insulin, narcotics that are locked up,” he said.

The next challenge was finding someplace to bring everyone.

He was able to get enough rooms at the Payson Quality Inn, which allowed him to turn one of the downstairs wings into a sort-of medical facility.

Medical Tables

He moved medical tables into the halls, fitted some rooms with bars and extenders, and even figured out ways to work around other challenges.

“Everyone has a call button. Right? Well, the call system doesn’t work here,” said Hermansen. “I had to bring on more staff to make sure our rounds were frequent enough to take care of everyone.”

Breakfast Room

Friday was Day 2. So far, they’re making it work no matter what it takes.

“I try and take care of them like they were my own mom or dad or grandma and grandpa,” said Hermansen.

Of course, they’re hoping the evacuation doesn’t last too much longer.

Even for someone who’s used to things measured in years.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to the place we call home,” said Steiger.