Harrowing video shows helicopter rescue of several people and their dogs from California wildfire

First responders stay cool under fire. Literally.
 By 
Marcus Gilmer
 on 
Harrowing video shows helicopter rescue of several people and their dogs from California wildfire
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While the Woolsey Fire in southern California, is largely contained (96% as of Monday night) some of the terrifying images from the last several weeks are continuing to trickle out, including the above video of an absolutely incredible rescue.

The footage is harrowing, taken from a helmet cam, as rescuers navigate a helicopter among the wind, smoke, and fire to land safely and rescue three people -- and two dogs -- on Castro Peak near Malibu.

It also offers up a rare perspective of what it takes to make these rescues, how complicated and dangerous they are and the risks taken by first responders in dire situations -- in this case LAFD Air Operations pilots David Nordquist and Joel Smith.

Even more impressive is the way the pair kept calm and pulled off the rescue without a hitch. One even drily commented, "That was enough excitement for me today."

True heroism.

Mashable Image
Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.


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