NewsNational

Actions

Southern California Wildfire: Driver pulls over to save wild rabbit from flames

Posted at 7:01 AM, Dec 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-07 09:49:32-05

OJAY, Calif. -- A news photographer captured a driver saving a wild rabbit from the Thomas Fire north of Santa Paula in Ventura County.

The man pulled over off Highway 1 and tried to scoop up the rabbit only to see it hop away from him towards large flames. He then began panicking, jumping up and down, fearing the animal would die.

Wildfire threatens several thousand homes in Southern California

RELATED | This is what the Ventura County fire looks like from space

 

Seconds later, the rabbit reappeared trying to get away from the wildfire.

The man then gently picked the animal up and held it in his arms to try to calm it down.

The Thomas Fire began on Monday. By Wednesday it exploded to over 90,000 acres. It is currently threatening over 12,000 structures. Crews say the fire is only five percent contained.