Dr. Chester Griffiths, a 62-year-old brain surgeon in Malibu, took matters into his own hands as wildfires threatened his home and community. With the help of his son and neighbor, Dr. Griffiths fought against the raging Palisades fire for nearly a week, defying evacuation orders to save his neighborhood. His preparation and commitment to his community played a crucial role during a crisis that saw extensive devastation across Los Angeles.
Heroic Doctor Defends Malibu Homes from Devastating Wildfires
Heroic Doctor Defends Malibu Homes from Devastating Wildfires
A Los Angeles brain surgeon leads the charge to protect his neighborhood from catastrophic flames.
Dr. Griffiths had always anticipated a wildfire could hit his area, having spent 15 years preparing for such an event. Just hours after completing a brain surgery, he returned to his Malibu street to rally against the flames that he described as "apocalyptic." He and his neighbor Clayton Colbert had devised a fire action plan and had coordinated equipment to tackle the blaze, knowing the fire department was stretched thin due to multiple fires across the region.
As the duo and Dr. Griffiths' son fought to protect their street, they used hoses connected to hydrants and took to the roofs to spray water on advancing flames. Dr. Griffiths recounted how burning embers rained down on them for around 12 hours. Despite the relentless threat, they only received assistance from firefighters late in their week-long battle owing to the overwhelming number of wildfires.
The ongoing Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive in California's history, has decimated over 23,000 acres, claiming at least 24 lives and leaving 23 others missing. As Los Angeles braces for more harm from impending winds, Mayor Karen Bass has called for urgent preparations. President Biden has warned that rebuilding will require significant financial resources, as the disaster continues to unfold across the region.
As the duo and Dr. Griffiths' son fought to protect their street, they used hoses connected to hydrants and took to the roofs to spray water on advancing flames. Dr. Griffiths recounted how burning embers rained down on them for around 12 hours. Despite the relentless threat, they only received assistance from firefighters late in their week-long battle owing to the overwhelming number of wildfires.
The ongoing Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive in California's history, has decimated over 23,000 acres, claiming at least 24 lives and leaving 23 others missing. As Los Angeles braces for more harm from impending winds, Mayor Karen Bass has called for urgent preparations. President Biden has warned that rebuilding will require significant financial resources, as the disaster continues to unfold across the region.
