Nancy Gjerset, 61, holds on tight to her husband, Ron, in the ashes of their home in Big Tujunga Canyon. The house was among dozens of dwellings destroyed by the Station fire, which burned 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest
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PHOTOS: Out of the ashes

Clinging to each other

Nancy Gjerset, 61, holds on tight to her husband, Ron, in the ashes of their home in Big Tujunga Canyon. The house was among dozens of dwellings destroyed by the Station fire, which burned 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A glimpse at better times

Nancy Gjerset holds an old family photo of a Christmas tree and a table setting in her home .  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Through war and disaster

The burnt World War II dog tags of Nancy Gjerset’s father were found in the ruins of her home, which burned down Aug. 29.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Host and visitor

Ron Gjerset and Amy Blackman, manager of Ozomatli, a Los Angeles-based band known for its multicultural sound and multiethnic makeup. When Blackman first introduced herself, she said, “I hope you’ll forgive me, but this is absolutely stunning.”  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Detritus

Melted lawn furniture on the Gjersets’ property.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Conversation

Ozomatli band member Wil-Dog Abers listens to Ron Gjerset.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The photo shoot

Christian Lantry photographs Ozomatli at the Gjersets’. The band’s manager met the couple while looking for a place to use as a backdrop for a cover photo for Ozomatli’s upcoming release, to be titled “Fire Away.”  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Getting ready

Nancy Gjerset sets the table for Ozomatli.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A meal amid devastation

Ozomatli members enjoy the food with Ron Gjerset, right,  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Sunshine and sadness

Ron Gjerset surveys what remains of his and his wife’s $1.2-million home.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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