Fire officials are hoping for calmer winds Thursday morning as they battle five wildfires in the Los Angeles area that have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Meanwhile, many survival stories have surfaced. Aaron Samson, 48, was caring for his 83-year-old stepfather at his Pacific Palisades home when the time came to flee Tuesday. Since they didn't have a car, Samson informed a neighbor who agreed to give them and their belongings a ride.
Samson began documenting their escape as flames and smoke surrounded the two men who had left the car. A woman could be heard screaming in panic as firefighters continued to lead the crowd as Samson retrieved a walker for her father-in-law.
During the evacuation Tuesday, Samson could be heard saying “Okay, Dad” over and over again.
California wildfires rage across Los Angeles County, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes
This image taken from a video provided by Aaron Samson shows his 83-year-old father-in-law fleeing a wildfire after being evacuated by car on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, near Pacific Palisades, California. (Aaron Samson, via AP)
“My father-in-law told me, 'Aaron, if you ever get into a situation where there's flames right there, just run and leave me here,'” Samson told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
We didn't get that far. They walked for about 15 minutes, and for the second time in recent hours, a good Samaritan picked them up and drove them to safety in Santa Monica.
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People evacuate their cars as wildfire flames spread through the streets near Pacific Palisades, California, Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Aaron Samson, via AP)
By Wednesday afternoon, Samson didn't know if the house had survived, but said he was grateful to the two strangers for their help.
“They saved us,” he said. “They really stepped up.”
As Aaron Samson evacuated, he kept saying to his 83-year-old stepfather, “Okay, Dad.” (Aaron Samson, via AP)
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Their escape comes as thousands of people are evacuated by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Wildfires have turned a picturesque neighborhood into a wasteland, with houses still with chimneys and wrought-iron staircases. The blaze, fanned by Santa Ana's powerful winds, obliterated more than 1,000 structures, charred landmarks made famous by Hollywood and killed at least five people.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
