a wildlife rehabilitator. she and her husband will leave if the fire gets much closer. >> to be this close and scared. we're ready. we're packed. we already evacuated most of the animals. we can leave if we have to, but it's amazing to sit here and watch it. >> ready, ready, drop. >> reporter: piloting the helicopters and planes that drop the water and fire retardant is dangerous business. it's a mess, but relatively few houses have been damaged. at this canyon fire officials admit the situation is tenuous. these men are in place on this side of the canyon in case the flames arrive here. >> if it flops over that line further and gets established into the canyon below us, it would have a straight shot towards the community of tuolumne. >> reporter: the murphys are grateful for the people working to save their home. >> they are incredible. what can you say? they are just so on top of this. they are so coordinated. >> reporter: and they are also exposed and vulnerable.