Laurita Gallagher and her family felt prepared for the fire.
They packed their belongings and woke up every two hours Thursday night into Friday morning to check the Woolsey fire's progress in Bell Canyon. The family knew that if the fire crossed over a ridge near their Tudor-style five-bedroom home, they would have to leave.
They didn't realize how quickly that would happen.
At 5:30 a.m. Friday, the Gallaghers were warned by their homeowners association that the fire was spreading fast. Soon after, Gallagher was screaming as she and her family rushed into action.
Tall, deep orange flames chewed timber near their home. Before they could scramble into their cars and leave, the fire had already crept to their driveway.
Gallagher's niece was last in the caravan, and as she left, burning branches landed on her car hood, Gallagher said.
"It happened so quickly," Gallagher said. "There were embers flying everywhere _ our eyes were burning, and we couldn't keep them open. We tried to put our shirts up against our faces, mostly fearing some embers were going to fall on us."
The wind was strong and the heat felt like it was blistering their skin as they ran to their cars, Gallagher said.
Before making their escape, the family had sprayed down their house and yard with water, but they wanted to do more. Since moving to Bell Canyon two years ago, they've fallen in love with the serenity of living in the lush wilderness.
Bell Canyon is a safe community with low crime rates, Gallagher said. The fire is the first danger they've encountered since moving there.
Their home is already full of memories, she said. Gallagher has an "open house" policy to their friends and family. She's a caterer, and they know when they visit her, she'll always have great food for them to try.
Her home is where their family gathers during the holidays. During Christmas, there are at least 60 people in their home. That's why she and so many other residents felt they had to try to make a stand, she said.
"We all just have to stick together as a community and try to rebuild it and support each other," Gallagher said.
Gallagher has survived floods and earthquakes, but the Woolsey fire shook her in a way she had never experienced.
"You can't even explain how you feel and how your nerves get shot, and (in the moment) you really can't think of anything other than just to save your life," she said.
