In a dramatic dashcam video captured in California, we see the incredible bravery of a firefighter who risked his life to save a man and his dog from a raging fire.
The scene unfolds in the El Cariso neighborhood, where the Airport Fire was blazing out of control.
A Hero’s Quick Thinking
Division Chief Crater is the hero of this story.
The footage reveals him driving straight through the intense flames, urgently calling out to a man stranded on the road. “Hey, can I get you out of here?” Crater shouted.
When the man asked if he could bring his dog along, Crater replied, “Yeah, I don’t care—bring the dog.
Let’s go, man, I want you out of here.”
The firefighter quickly instructed the man to move any belongings to the side and get into the backseat with his dog.
A Dangerous Situation
The man revealed that he had been trying to fight the fire himself with a hose.
Crater, ensuring the man wasn’t injured, asked if anyone else was still in the area.
The man responded, “Yeah, I’m the only one left over here.”
Crater noted that the area where the man had been was about to be closed off due to the advancing fire.
The Bigger Picture
The Airport Fire, which erupted on Monday afternoon, has led to evacuations across Orange and Riverside counties.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
As of now, 12 people have been injured in this fire, one of three major blazes in Southern California this week, which have scorched around 100,000 acres, according to CBS News.
A Heartfelt Tribute
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department shared the heroic footage on social media, praising the efforts of their firefighters.
“Firefighters at every level are the heart of our department, going above and beyond to protect those in need.
We couldn’t be prouder of their unwavering commitment and selflessness,” they wrote.
Crater, a dedicated firefighter since 1994, began his career as a volunteer in Perris, California.
He is also a husband and father of two.
Ongoing Efforts
Firefighters are continuing their efforts to contain the spread of the fires by applying fire retardant around the perimeter.
Evacuation warnings remain in place, with information about evacuation centers and animal shelters available on the California Government website.
