Anaheim Fire: Left-Behind Kitties Retrieved With Help From Firefighters

ANAHEIM HILLS, CA — One day into the Canyon Fire 2, the reports from Anaheim Fire Department were devastating: 7,500 acres burned, 14 structures at a total loss and 22 others burned or damaged in some way. When the evacuation orders came Monday, residents of Anaheim Hills, Tustin and the City of Orange were given less than an hour in many cases to grab their essentials and go.

"If you are home, leave now," Anaheim Fire Department Capt. Darren Wyatt told residents. "For your safety, access to the area is not allowed at his time."

Not even 24 hours later, the realization of what had been left behind in the mad rush to leave with their lives dawned on many. Prescription medications. Glasses. Animals that they weren't able to find quickly. One couple, in particular, beseeched the fire department for help in rescuing their two cats — Brodie and Mina — from their South Canyon Heights Drive home.

Also See: At Least 13 Killed By California Wildfires And 115,000 Acres Burned

"We don't have children, but our cats are our kids," the owner told firefighters. In the haze and terror of leaving, they were left with the horrifying choice to evacuate even though their cats would not be found in the moments before departure.

On Monday, the owners (who remain unnamed) watched as newscasts showed that neighborhood in an Armageddon worthy haze of smoke, flames and embers, not knowing if their cats would be safe, if their home would be among the six destroyed and other damaged houses on that block.

While many of the residences that were told to evacuate were in imminent danger, a large portion of the 5,000 homes evacuated were done so to allow the fire department clear access to streets to do their work in keeping neighborhoods safe.

On Tuesday, Wyatt informed residents that in some cases, Anaheim Police would aid in escorting them back to their homes, on foot if need be, to retrieve items of key importance.

Firefighters met and walked with the family up the hill to the South Canyon Heights Drive, which resembles a war zone. Burned palm trees, scorched homes, others leveled to the outer shell or mere foundation, and all, still smoldering. Smoke hung heavy in the air as they began their quest to find the cats.

"Three houses next to them were destroyed," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi told Patch. "Two houses down on the opposite side were also destroyed."

This home, and the two cats inside, were spared. A miracle, for the residents, who hurried inside to find their fur-babies. Others, showing signs of smoke and fire damage while palm trees and vegetation was scorched and burned.

Entering their residence, the family was able to wrangle both Brodie and Mina and gather the other items they needed, grateful their home was still standing when in the cases of six of their neighbors, quite the opposite was true.

"Evacuation orders still in place," Wyatt reminded. "Police may be escorting some residents to retrieve medications/other necessities."

Orange County Fire Authority Photos