night. peter? >> what a dramatic difference in that scene in just 24 hours. thank you. for those tens of thousands forced to flee with almost no warning, it has been a terrifying ordeal. nbc's steve patterson now on the dramatic escape as the fires closed in. out the window, the smoke was thickening as jason fletcher in colorado for the holidays -- >> cassidy >> reporter: -- shot this video, he was at a chuckie cheese with his wife and family. >> i saw flames and i yelled, "flames. i see fire." >> reporter: with the fire approaching, dangerously close to the restaurant, they gathered children scrambled to the exit. winds so strong, for a moment they struggled to get out >> you finally get outside and it's all hitting you and the wind was moving so fast. >> i felt the wind hitting.