Last month, we brought you the story of a local woman spending Thanksgiving in California, providing relief in the wake of the deadly Camp Fire. Now she’s home, talking about her about her nearly month-long journey. 

“How do you tell somebody you can never go back? It’s all burned," said volunteer and Rochester resident Joyce Alexander.

The deadliest wildfire in California history, Camp Fire burned more than 150,000 acres of land, and claimed at least 85 lives.

“There was a company, should’ve been there but there was only the sign left, the land was just burnt," Alexander said. "Where there should’ve been things out there, it was just burnt. And like I said, 'it was still burning.' The smoke. Destroying everything, trees, homes, cars.”

Alexander has volunteered with the Red Cross for eight years, and says this is the most severe disaster she has ever worked.

“People losing everything, and smelling smoke. We had to wear masks, I never had to do that. Gloves," Alexander said.

She says unlike other disasters, a wildfire leaves nothing behind.

“You can’t even say this is where my home was, because nothing’s there. Versus a tornado or hurricane, you can see the house and see a tree went through it or there’s water in it, and you can dry it out," Alexander said.

She left Rochester in mid-November, returning Monday — a whopping 23 days later.

“It did wear on me, and I had to tell myself I’m here for the people," Alexander said. "I was tired, I’ve never stayed at a disaster that long. But something was holding me there, like I didn’t feel like I did enough.” 

Director of the Greater Rochester chapter of the American Red Cross, James Love, says that’s why Alexander is a volunteer that embodies the organization. 

“Joyce is great. All our volunteers are so committed, and Joyce is one of those volunteers that understands the mission of the organization, what her role is, and these people have the biggest hearts,” Love said.

Still, with everything she saw, Alexander says it’s a little hard to be happy she’s home for the holidays.

“It’s great to be back home, but I still have my mind in California, wondering what’s going on. Thinking about going back after the holidays, I don’t know yet,” Alexander said

She encourages everyone to do their part, with either a donation, or volunteering yourself.

“If you can’t give financially, you can give your time. It’s important, you never know, it could’ve been us, Alexander said.