Firefighters tell residents that when there are evacuations in the area, it means that the fire is moving quickly and it is becoming unsafe for residents. While the fire department cannot force residents to leave, it is highly suggested.

“If it is a mandatory evacuation, then yes very much so [leave],” Ventura County Firefighter Justin Townsend said.

Mandatory evacuations occurred in Oak Park, Agoura, Westlake and surrounding areas Wednesday, Nov. 8. The Woolsey Fire quickly moved into Oak Park and some residents chose to stay home in order to protect their homes.

The main problem is that when people do not leave, firefighters must disengage from the firefight in order to make sure the residents are safe or can get out safely. While life is their main priority, they have another priority of damage control with homes.

“Our first main goal is ‘Life, Property, and Environment.’ We are going [to] save life over everything, but if we are helping people evacuate who did not leave in time, that means we are not able to help the burning house,” Townsend said.

Oak Park resident Scott Morrison and other residents on Bayberry Street chose to stay during the Woolsey Fire. They had the fire scanner and proper equipment to water down any embers that could have flared up.

“I obtained an inch and a quarter fire hose line that I hooked up straight up to the hydrant and stood [on my roof]. I had a firefighting apparatus that I was able to wear and my main concern was losing the house,” Morrison said.

The reason Morrison stayed was to make sure he had somewhere to come home to after experiencing a similar situation during a fire in 2004 in which he could not return home on Bayberry Street. Like many who paid attention to the media, Morrison was afraid something would happen this time as the wind picked up.

“There was a lot of embers flying through here, and when I was standing on my roof, they were flying behind my back,” Morrison said.

These embers started many fires in residents’ homes. Christa Reusch, who lost parts of her backyard in Oak Park, said she is thankful for her house. According to Reusch, her house was saved by a group of residents who stayed behind on her street.

“These people saw the fire coming down the hill and went from yard to yard putting out fires,” Reusch said.

In her backyard, she explained that if the tree had caught fire, her house would have gone. However, these men watered down her backyard gazebo and furniture, putting out the fire.

“How do you thank someone who saved your house?” Reusch asked.

Reusch said what these men have done is amazing and that she is thankful for each and every one of them, calling them her heroes. Morrison said that because he had the right equipment, he would make the same decision to stay despite the risks.

When asked if he would stay again, Morrison responded, “Absolutely.”