Alek Jacob’s family lost their home in the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Washington, and a GoFundMe has been launched to help them recover after the blaze destroyed the place where the Padres reliever grew up.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that hundreds of buildings have been destroyed in and around Spokane because of the wildfire. The Old Trails Fire also forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, though no deaths have been reported.
Jacob’s sister Natalie, their parents and their pets were displaced, but the family is safe. Still, the loss was total.
The home had been in the family for 24 years, and by Wednesday night the GoFundMe had raised more than $27,000. Former Padres pitcher Ryan Bergert was among the donors.
The campaign description laid out the scale of what was lost: "In a matter of minutes, the only home Natalie has ever known was gone. Twenty-four years of memories, family heirlooms, photographs, clothing, furniture, and every piece of their daily life were reduced to ashes," reads the GoFundMe.com campaign description.
"For those who know Natalie, you know her home wasn’t just a house. For well over a decade, it was a safe haven for animals in need.
Hundreds - if not thousands - of cats, kittens, dogs, and other animals found safety, healing, and a second chance within those walls through foster care. Countless lives were changed there.
Losing that home means losing a place that brought hope to so many.
"Right now, they have the clothes on their backs, their phones, one day’s worth of pet food and each other."
Jacob has been on the move professionally, too. The Padres optioned him to Triple-A El Paso on July 7. He’s 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA in 31 appearances for the Chihuahuas this season, and in three major league outings out of the bullpen - one each in April, May and July - he has given up three runs.
The right-hander posted images of the fire to his private Instagram account, and Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune shared those photos on Wednesday.
Jacob’s baseball path started in Spokane. He graduated from North Central High School, then became a standout at Gonzaga University before the Padres selected him in the 16th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He reached the majors for the first time in 2023, and in parts of four seasons since his debut he is 2-0 with a 4.18 ERA in 42 games, along with a 1.23 WHIP over 56 innings.
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