An area community is showing no signs of defeat three years after the largest wildfire Wisconsin had seen in 25 years ravaged parts of Adams County.

The fire in Big Flats, now known as the Cottonville Fire, destroyed 13 homes and almost 35-hundred acres of land.

But today residents showed they are committed to restoring everything that was lost.

The Zion Tree Committee and the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association co-hosted the 3rd annual tree planting event to help the community cope.

Its a small church sending a big message.
Big flats residents call Zion Lutheran Church, and its Tree Committee, the center of the tree re-planting process.

Tree Planter and Secretary of the WWAO Donna Johnston says, "Were getting to know more and more of the local people and its really amazing that you have one little church that could put this together and the community together."

President of WWOA says, "I see Cottonville growing back and green is something productive that we will have"

But it's more than the church's efforts that are helping the Big Flats community bounce back.

Residents say one woman's ability to keep her spirits lifted in spite of the fire has been a true inspiration for rebuilding.

Volunteer tree planter, Brittany Schoer says, "She cares about her community she's helping people plant other trees not hers."

Nancy Livingston of Big Flats says, "We’ve done this to give people a jump start and that’s what we want give them the emphasis and courage to keep going”

"Where ever we all come from, that the big thing that you can take back is you can stand up and say I can help, " says Johnston.

"it feels good to help the community out and Shiloh and I have known Nancy ever since we were born, and she's like a family member to us," says Schoer.

Livingston says, "I was a victim for maybe two days, you can only be a victim for so long and then jump into survivor mode. If nothing else has come from this believe people affected by the Cottonville fire have become survivors."

Livingston says with a support system like the dedication and commitment the community has received, there isn't enough gratitude to thank everybody for their efforts.

Even the cold weather could not keep these eager tree planters from doing what they came to do.

"Rain or snow, hell or high water that's the way its going to go," says Johnston.

More than 100 volunteers showed up to help prepare with the third annual tree planting event.