Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

California Burning

Aired September 04, 2002 - 12:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Firefighters have their hands full, trying to put out two raging wildfires north of Los Angeles. One, in the Angeles National Forest, has burned at least 15,000 acres and is just 10 percent contained. The newest one broke out about this time yesterday, near Leona Valley. Already, it has charred about 3,200 acres and destroyed at least five homes. Around 100 families have been evacuated.
As Stan Chambers, with our L.A. affiliate KTLA tells us, emergency crews had to rescue one woman who was more concerned about her animals.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STAN CHAMBERS, KTLA REPORTER: Sunday's huge brushfire above Azusa in the Angeles National Forest, trapped Zigrid Hopson. She stayed behind to take care of her animals. She was so desperate she shot her older dog who couldn't run, left the others go free, and held a gun in case the fire came any closer. But she was rescued by two heroic deputy sheriffs who somehow got her out alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She was standing out there very, very scared, sweating, and didn't know -- very confused, and she had pistol in her hand, and made it clear to me that she was -- would rather die by her own hand than die by the flames.

CHAMBERS: A very thankful Zigrid Hopson, who went back to see if her animals were still there.

She couldn't believe her eyes. The two dogs she set free in the fire were there to greet her. She played and hugged with them. She still hadn't seen her cabin.

ZIGRID HOPSON, RESCUED FROM FIRE: My cabin is here. But my neighbors...

CHAMBERS: At the time of her rescue from the fire, deputy Paul had to keep the truck moving so it wouldn't catch fire.

DEP. PAUL ARCHANBAULT, L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: Yes, the tires, and the undercarriage were burning. It was so hot outside that the radiation was coming through the windows, and started burning our arms, or burning -- we could smell the hair on our arms starting to ignite.

HOPSON: It was just a solid wall of fire in front of us, and from both sides, and the rocks all over the area. CHAMBERS (on camera): Firefighting crews are still on the line, and the hot, dry conditions continue in our Southern California mountains. From San Dimas, Stan Chambers, KTLA News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com