Highway Through Hell: Video Shows Driver's Escape from Valley Fire Inferno

A Lake County resident posted this harrowing video filmed as he and his wife, who was driving in another car behind him, narrowly escaped the ruthless flames from the brutal Valley Fire.

The terrifying video, posted by YouTube user mulletFive, shows flames licking at the trees and sparks flying across the blazing roadway as he flees toward Middletown.

Warning: Strong language used during video.

The video has garnered 23,513 views since it was posted on Sept. 13.

The catastrophic Valley Fire that ignited on Saturday has claimed one life and is sprawling into three counties. Four firefighters have been hospitalized with burns, and thousands of people are forced from their homes and set their animals free to fend for themselves.

Full fire coverage:

• One Dead as Valley Fire Explodes to 61,000 Acres, 5 Percent Containment
• Evacuated Fire Victims Settling into Tent City
• One Person Killed in Valley Fire; 50,000 Acres Burned; Hundreds of Homes Lost
• Exhaustion, Desperation, Humor at Calistoga Evacuation Center
• “Huge Destruction. Homes Destroyed Will Be in Hundreds”
• Valley Fire Roars Through 40,000 Acres in 12 Hours

Screenshot, video embed courtesy mulletFive via YouTube.