Fire officials hope calmer winds Thursday morning will help them battle five Los Angeles-area wildfires that have prompted tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Meanwhile, many survival stories emerge. Aaron Sampson, 48, was caring for his 83-year-old father-in-law at his home in Pacific Palisades when it was time to flee Tuesday. They didn't have a car, so Samson informed a neighbor who agreed to give them a ride and their belongings.
Samson began filming their escape with Fire and smoke Surrounding the two as they left the car. As Samson retrieved a walker for his father-in-law, a woman was heard screaming in terror as firefighters continued to direct the crowd.
“We got it, daddy,” Samson could be heard repeating over and over as they were evacuated on Tuesday.
This photo from a video provided by Aaron Sampson shows his 83-year-old father-in-law fleeing a wildfire after they evacuated a car near Pacific Palisades, California, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Aaron Samson via AP)
“My father-in-law was like, 'Aaron, if we're in a situation where there's a fire out there, just run and leave me here,'” Sampson told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
It didn't get to that point. They walked for about 15 minutes before a good Samaritan picked them up, for the second time in hours, and drove them to… Safety in Santa Monica.
People evacuate their cars as flames from a wildfire spread to a street near Pacific Palisades, California, Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (Aaron Samson via AP)
By Wednesday afternoon, Sampson didn't know if the house had survived, but he said they had Indebted to strangers.
“They saved us,” he said. “They really stepped up.”
Aaron Sampson kept telling his 83-year-old father-in-law, “We got her, Dad,” during the evacuation. (Aaron Samson via AP)
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Their escape came as thousands of people fled forest fires in Los Angeles area Which turned picturesque neighborhoods into a smoldering wasteland, with chimneys or wrought-iron stairs around all that remained of the homes. The fire, caused by strong Santa Ana winds, destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, burned Hollywood landmarks, and killed at least five people.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
