Numerous Heroes Recognized For Saving Lives During Valley Fire

LAKE COUNTY (CBS13) - They drove through the intense inferno of the Valley Fire to save lives. For the first time, we're meeting just a few of the heroes who rescued countless people from the fire.

"That wind, it just ripped across and these poor people didn't know what hit them," said California Dept. of Fish And Wildlife Warden Tim Little.

Little saved not one, but two elderly women and an 11-month-old baby.

"The fire just kind of blew up, behind us and top of us," said Little.

Little scrambled to get people out who were in life-or-death situations.

The call came in that a senior was trapped with her 11-month-old granddaughter.

"And I came on, and said I had a four wheel drive vehicle and I'd try to make it," he said.

Looking at what's left of the Pine Summit Road home, it's a good thing he got them out.

His next stop was a home on Hot Springs Road, where he saved another woman unable to evacuate on her own.

"Anybody in these uniforms would've done the same thing," he said.

Later, Little snapped a smiling selfie with the baby girl whose life he saved.

And as the Valley Fire overtook Lake County, 93-year-old Katherine Ray was sound asleep on her couch.

Warden Ryan Stephenson raced in and got her to safety. He also says anyone else in his shoes would've done the exact same thing.

"I saw several all through the night, people racing up driveways that were on fire and coming back out with handfuls of people," said California Dept. of Fish And Wildlife Warden Tim Little.

They are the humble heroes of the Valley Fire whose stories are starting to be told. The impact of their bravery that night will linger long after the fire.

From first responders to neighbors, there were so many people who helped save lives. We've also heard of many firefighters who knew they'd lost their own homes, but stayed on the fire lines, fighting to save their neighbors' houses.