A fire chief has described the moment he saved a woman walking just metres from an airport blaze, calling the harrowing moment caught on camera “surreal”.
Cal Fire Riverside County Battalion Chief Mike Martinez spotted the woman walking on Ortega Highway around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Video of the incident, released by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Riverside County Fire Department, shows the woman holding her dress on the ground as she walks through the wind and sparks. Behind her, fire swirls and burns through the brush.
The woman managed to get safely into Martinez's truck, where a paramedic immediately began treating the woman's serious injuries and took her to a hospital.
“This is one of those moments … that you hope you never have,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years. We’re used to extreme fire behavior, but seeing a civilian walking down the middle of the street was surreal.”
Martinez spoke to reporters Thursday not far from where he saved the woman, whose identity and medical condition are unknown.
I didn't expect the video of the incident to go viral.
“Watch as one of our brave battalion chiefs risks everything to save a woman walking through the flames of the #AirportFire,” Cal Fire tweeted Wednesday. “This incredible rescue showcases the dedication and courage of our firefighters, who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”
Martinez said he just hopes the woman is safe.
“I'd like to know what was going through his mind,” he said.
The Airport Fire, burning in Orange and Riverside counties, has been raging since Monday. It has burned more than 23,000 acres and was only 5% contained as of Thursday.
At least 13 people, including firefighters, were injured in the Airport Fire and the Line Fire, both of which are burning in San Bernardino.
The airport fire, which started in Trabuco Canyon, was caused by a spark from heavy equipment.
