Reeling from the start of the blue cut fire. A tornado full of embers torched homes, more than 80,000 people were ordered to get out, and 32,000 acres burned, but eric swanson decided to stay. Wrightwood kind of sits in a bowl, so when it burns on the ridges normally fire does not do real welcoming downhill against the wind. In the back of his mind he knows anything is possible. This is very important to me so, yes, i kept my helmet. Reporter he has his car packed with a few valuables just in case he has to escape a wall of fire. Ive just been around here for a very long time, and when i felt threatened ill leave, and i have only left one time. Reporter thats something firefighters dont want to hear. When people say ive lived here forever, ive seen fires, it is not the same. If youre asked to get out, you need to do so and you need to do so early. Reporter now, thats what firefighters are telling me tonight. They say it just takes one gust of wind and one ember to start a wildland fire