(NewsNation) — A fast-growing wildfire in California that covers more than 3,000 acres has forced evacuations in Malibu, with some residents taking a risk to save their own homes.
Alec Gellis not only saved his own home but helped save five of his neighbors’ homes from the fires, although he lost most of his voice from the smoke.
Gellis told NewsNation that gas-powered water pumps turn sprinklers on and combat the flames.
“We put out the spot fires, make sure the embers get out,” he said.
Three homes in the neighborhood were still destroyed. Gellis, a Malibu resident for 15 years, said they got the warning to leave around 11 p.m.
“I’ve been in fires in Malibu before, and we stay. We make sure that small, fast spot fires don’t spread and put them out,” he said. “That’s how we saved a bunch of houses. We made it happen.”
