As evacuations have lifted and containment numbers have grown, fire activity at the Crown Creek Fire north of Colville has began to subside.
The fire has burned more than 14,000 acres and as of Friday, September 26, 2025, it is at 93% containment. Officials said at their last update operations have moved into a mop up phase.
However, for some, the effects of the fire will linger. Eight homes were lost in the Crown Creek Fire, including 72-year-old Diane Schmill’s humble home of nearly 40 years.
“34 (years) with my dad and she’s been up here the last four by herself,” Diane’s daughter Deydra said standing next to the rubble of her mom’s home.
Diane wasn’t feeling well when we made the trip on Tuesday, but Deydra remembered growing up in the home with fondness and honesty.
“With no electricity and no running water, and I was out the weekend after I graduated high school,” she smiled. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. It made me appreciate the little things in life.”
Diane has been living that simple life and since the passing of her husband has maintained the house and property with the same toughness and tenacity she’s had her whole life.
“She is absolutely incredible,” Deydra boasts. “She just put away two cords of firewood by herself… She had just finished putting a new roof on by herself… She does not ask for help from anybody.”
However, now, with practically nothing surviving the fire and the home not insured, at 72-years-old Diane is learning a new skill: Asking for help.
“Yep, yep and right now she’s learning how to accept that help,” Deydra said “Just out of the blue she said (to me), ‘I never thought I’d be 72 and homeless.'”
But in true Schmill fashion, there’s no quit from Diane. Only gratitude and grit.
“She doesn’t show her emotion a lot but she did tell me she thanked God for letting her live here for 38 years,” Deydra recalled. “She’s bound and determined. This is her home. This is where she wants to be.”
Though the determination to get back is there, both mom and daughter know it won’t come overnight and it won’t come without a little help.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Deydra and while money can help, Deydra says there are other ways to make an impact as well.
“We’re basically looking for people who can donate time and maybe materials and money to rebuild this small house so she can get back up here,” Deydra said. “This is where her heart is. This is where my dad was. This is my dad. This is what she wants. She wants to be back.”
Until then, Diane is adjusting to a new, hopefully temporary way of life at a rental in Kettle Falls.
“She just spend the first night in the rental last night,” Deydra said staring off into the ruins of her mom’s home. “On the floor. No furniture. No nothing. So she just slept on the floor last night.”
Despite offering even an air mattress, Deydra said her mom is still hanging on to the simple life of her homestead on Onion Creek.
“She says, ‘No, I’m fine.'” Deydra smiles.
While the rebuild is likely months away, Deydra knows one thing is for certain, her mom will definitely be working alongside whoever is kind enough to help.
“She said even if it’s just a little shack. That’s where she’ll live.”
If you think you can help Diane rebuild her home or have materials you’d like to donate, you can contact her daughter Deydra at schmilld75@yahoo.com or check out the GoFundMe campaign HERE.
