In the wake of Lilac fire's destruction, family tries to pick up the pieces

Hardly anything was left of Jerry Yang and Jenni Southwell's childhood home in Bonsall on Tuesday as they sifted through the rubble, ash and twisted metal that had been left behind from the 4,100 acre Lilac fire that blazed through the area.

Amid the ash there were some recognizable items: ceramic bowls, some kitchenware and antique clay figures were left intact. Still, much of the rest of the home and surrounding buildings where their parents raised roughly 10,000 finch birds for their business were gone.

All the birds perished, as did years of memories, keepsakes and collectibles.

Southwell...