Oct. 29, 2025 — Shasta County, CA A heart-stopping moment unfolded on a smoke-choked mountain road when a terrified young deer leapt into the back of a rescue truck as wildfire flames closed in on both sides. The dramatic encounter, recorded on a responder’s phone, has since spread across social media as a rare glimmer of hope amid one of California’s most destructive fire seasons. Fire crews and volunteers had been sweeping the area for trapped residents and animals when they spotted the fawn s

Winter is coming, but wildfire doesn’t take a season off. Many of California’s largest and most destructive wildfires have happened in the colder months when dry vegetation, offshore winds, and low humidity can create dangerous conditions. Stay wildfire ready year-round: 🔥 Prepare your home: Clear leaves from roofs and gutters, move firewood and flammable items at least 30 feet from structures, and screen vents to block embers. 🔥 Create Defensible Space: Maintain a 0-5 foot Zone 0 buffer of de