. >> i couldn't believe that it wasn't hundreds, if n close to a thousand >> reporter: petson says theact the death toll wasn't much higher is a testament to the heroism of first responders. >> police officers from all across northern california coming to help the city of santa rosa, firemen from all over the state of californi coming in i was just so proud othe way e community came together. >> reporter: it's been 11 months since the fire. memories of that long dark night are still raw. >> i really don't think we're coping as well as we -- we like to talk about how well we're >> why? >> it's just what i see on the street, you know. we talk a good game. or at least we publish a good game in the paper. but the things i see on t street, the people i talk to on the street, >> s which way should i go to go to coffey? >> get up on the freeway. go northbound. go right. >> go right? >> yeah. so this is an area we call coffey park. this is our city. this is not how we want it to be on the map. >> it's weird t say but i felt more human that night than i think i ever have. beuse you didn't care