What the gunman, a marine veteran, allegedly wrote about what he was doing. Tonight, the terror attack overseas. A pickup truck going up in flames, and the rampage that followed. President trump facing outrage tonight, over his pick for acting attorney general. The president now saying he doesnt know Matt Whitaker. But what the president said just a month ago about him. Robin roberts with Michelle Obama tonight. The former first lady and what she now reveals. Saying she wishes she had revealed it sooner, that it could have helped millions of women. And the storm system this friday night, bringing snow, blinding rain, and freezing temperatures into the northeast. And good evening on this friday night from california. As we come on the air in the west, a state of emergency has now been declared in california. They woke up to a massacre here thursday morning, and now a wildfire erupting the same day. There are now several fires burning in california. You can see this home behind me, its been incinerated. They believe burning embers landed on it, then it erupted into flames, burning down this home, and the home behind it. The flames burning throughout the night. And it hasnt let up. The winds fanning the flames right along major highways. Racing down the mountains towards the coast, jumping the 101 here. And in nearby malibu, theyve tweeted the fire is out of control. All residents evacuate now. And thats where we begin tonight with clayton sandell, on the scene, with the urgent effort under way. They say the fire is now headed to populated areas. Reporter tonight, an urgent effort under way right now to get families out of harms way across Southern California. Powerful, fast moving, destructive wildfires are burning a hole through l. A. And ventura counties. In malibu, firefighters in handtohand, housetohouse combat. The woolsey fire triggering mass evacuations. Traffic on the Pacific Coast highway backed up for miles. The traffic is getting heavier and heavier and slower and slower. Reporter First Responders racing to get families to safety. Report of three people trapped in a house. When you have 40, 50, 60mileanhour winds blowing fire at your heels, the importance is to get people out of harms way. Reporter we met ashley snodgrass, just seconds after she escaped out of her home. The fire people are there, but theres nothing that they can do. Reporter and you think your house is on fire now . Yeah. Reporter look at the flames and the smoke and how its blowing. That shows you the strength of the winds. Reporter the fire exploding overnight, now more than 35,000 acres. You can see what happens when these wind gusts pick up. Just a little bit of smoldering debris suddenly sends up showers of embers and those embers can go downwind and start new fires. Flames jumping the 101 freeway before dawn, shutting it down. Tonight, dozens of homes are destroyed, and the fire shows no signs of slowing down, as evacuation orders and anxiety keep spreading. You can see lots of activity here to try to save homes. But two have been destroyed, and this one has collapsed in front of us. The problem is, so much wind. And that will last late into the night. David . Clayton sandell, thank you. Were also monitoring the fires right here in the same community where the massacre took place. Lets go with our team at kabc, helicopter pilot Chris Christie a short time ago. The woolsey fire is continuing to close in on malibu. 35,000 acres have burned up. You see brilliant flames lighting up the night sky, and dozens of homes lost in this fire. Fortunately, though, nobody has been hurt. David . Kabc reporter chris kristi, thank you. Our thanks to you and the kabc team. And just a horrific scene in Northern California as well. In a town called paradise, north of sacramento, families forced to drive through flames on both sides to get out of town. And not everyone made it. Theyve now discovered bodies after vehicles were engulfed in flames. Tom llamas is there tonight, witnessing the destruction firsthand. Reporter tonight, the campfire raging out of control. And now our first look inside its charred wake. Block after block, we see this hellish landscape that used to be the town of paradise, california. They evacuated 27,000 people, the entire town. And heres why. The flames did not stop burning everything to the ground. The grim toll only now emerging. Officials locating at least five victims, all found in their cars. Trapped by the fire that ripped through this town. So many residents racing tunnels of flames to get out. Go, go, go, go. Oh, my god. The tree is burning right next to us. All those homes gone. I can feel the heat now. Were not going to catch on fire, okay . Reporter in one case, a father singing to his daughter to reassure her. Baby it will be all right reporter people abandoning their cars and just running. We have one patient, with burns approximately 45 . Theres a woman in labor. Shes in a beige honda pilot. Reporter patients rushed from this hospital. The fire was coming across this way so fast, so hard, and burning up homes so quickly. Reporter 76yearold ralph crippen lost it all in the fire. One of the only things that survived the blaze, this statue of an angel. I did notice one thing, the angel. When you look at it, what do you think . Oh, i feel everything is lost. Everything. Reporter crippen, like so many here, still in shock, a feeling we saw even on the faces of some animals. This dog, lost, burned, and confused. A california highway patrolman stopped to help. He tells us his family has also lost their home. Its devastating. Reporter the worst youve ever seen . In my career, yes. Just looking at this, this morning, its a tragedy. Reporter Officials Say theyve received at least 600 calls for welfare checks. They have succeeded in reaching hundreds of people, but there are still hundreds outstanding. The biggest obstacle, its too dangerous. This was the town supermarket, this was the exterior wall that has collapsed. Still a lot of fires, and still a lot of smoke. David . Its just a devastating scene. And we came here to report on 12 dead in a massacre, but now a wildfire in the same community. I spoke to the police chief a short time ago. He hasnt slept yet, and he grew emotional while talking with us. Its not difficult to understand why. I think its hard for people to wrap their heads around what you all have been through this week. You had the massacre, and now youre dealing with evacuations and this wildfire. How are you doing it . Yeah, its amazing, you know. I was thinking about that just when we were working on some evacuations a little while ago. You havent been to bed since word of the massacre, the first calls. Yeah, the last time was wednesday, three days ago. How are the families doing in this community, having to deal with not only the horror of this week, but now this. Yeah, its tough. I was amazed yesterday. We went from this mass shooting, to the next morning, while the community is not even in a recovery mode, to fires breaking out all over Southern California. People are just dousing us not only with love and compassion for our Public Safety workers, theyre bringing food. And thats what really amazes me. Well, add us and everyone watching at home tonight to whole countrys thinking about this community. Thank you so much, and we really feel the warmth and the prayers. It chokes us up. It does. It affects us. So, we thank everybody. We thank you, chief. Thank you. Police chief tim hegel. We thank him and the First Responders. And the firefighters working around the clock here. Theyre also investigating the massacre, with the fbi now at that site. The messages the gunman, a former marine, allegedly posted, as he was gunning down so many. Kayna whitworth is on the scene tonight. Reporter tonight, authorities reviewing disturbing messages from the gunman posted to social media as the attack was unfolding. At 11 24 p. M. , he wrote, i just thought, life is boring. So, why not . Authorities tell abc news, preliminary information indicates the gunman appeared to be texting or posting during the pauses in the rampage. At 11 27, he posted, the only thing you people do after these shootings is hopes and prayers, and wonder why these keep happening. Today, the names of all 12 people who died in the attack revealed. Many, local college students. Telemachus orfanos, a bouncer at the club, survived the carnage in las vegas last year, only to die here. His mother, with this message. I dont want prayers. I dont want thoughts. I want gun control. And i hope to god nobody else sends me any more prayers. Reporter authorities telling us its possible the gunman heard the siren of sergeant ron helus, and that was waiting there to kill him. David . Kayna, thank you. We turn now to the new and growing outrage over the president s pick for acting attorney general. Just today, the president saying he does not know his pick, Matt Whitaker. But what he said about whitaker just a month ago. Heres Jonathan Karl tonight. Reporter today, the president told reporters he doesnt even know Matt Whitaker, the man he just named acting attorney general. Mr. President , what do you say to all the criticism of Matt Whitaker, and the calls for him to recuse himself given what hes said about the russia investigation . Well, Matt Whitaker, i dont know Matt Whitaker. Matt whitaker worked for Jeff Sessions. And he was always extremely highly thought of, and he still is, but i didnt know Matt Whitaker. Reporter but listen to what the president said just last month. I can tell you, Matt Whitakers a great guy. I mean, i know Matt Whitaker. Reporter but again, today, the opposite. Did you talk with Matt Whitaker at all about the Mueller Probe . I didnt speak to Matt Whitaker about it. I dont know Matt Whitaker. Reporter in fact, the president has spent quite a bit of time with whitaker, who was Jeff Sessions chief of staff. Several sources say theyve developed something of a bond. Now, whitaker is under fire on multiple fronts. From his association with a Florida Company shut down by the government for allegedly scamming consumers out of millions of dollars, to his strong criticism of the Mueller Investigation he now oversees. The truth is, there was no collusion with the russians and the trump campaign. Reporter meanwhile, mueller is working on his final report. Youre doing the written questions to Robert Mueller. Have you ruled out a sitdown, an inperson sitdown with Robert Mueller . I havent ruled out anything. I havent even thought about it. Im thinking about the world. Reporter there are bipartisan efforts to protect Robert Mueller in the senate. But Mitch Mcconnell has made it clear those efforts are going nowhere in the senate. But at the same time, mcconnell said that mueller should be allowed to finish his work. And he said as far as hes concerned, whitaker will be a very interim attorney general. In other words, he wont be around for long. David . Jon, thank you. Next, in florida tonight, a state known for very close elections, and famous for the president ial recount in 2000, now facing another possible recount. The race for senate is likely headed to a recount. Republican governor rick scott thought he had defeated Democrat Bill nelson, but tonight two counties are still counting ballots. Rick scott leads by just under 15,000 votes. If the margin stays that small, it will trigger an automatic recount. We should know tomorrow. And were following a terror attack overseas, a pickup truck plowing into a crowded area, erupting into flames before the driver went on a rampage in australia. Heres pierre thomas. Reporter this pickup truck ablaze, as terror comes to the streets of australias second largest city. Authorities say the driver jumps out and immediately begins attacking people with a knife. Three people are stabbed, one fatally. We saw a guy running across the tram tracks, and the police running backwards. And then we heard a gunshot. Reporter as hundreds watch, police shoot the man. He later dies from his wounds. The incident now described as an act of terror. And tonight, isis is claiming the killer was one of its soldiers. Ou Authorities Say he does indeed have links to the islamic state. David . Pierre, thank you. And there is still much more ahead on world news tonight this friday. Ze details about the set of a wellknown tv show burning to the ground. The wildfires here in california, and the storm in the middle of the country. The cold blast for millions this weekend. And the new headline about ruth bader ginsburg, news on her condition after fracturing her ribs. And the abc news exclusive. Robin roberts with Michelle Obama. The former first lady, and what she now reveals. Saying she wishes she had revealed it sooner, that it could have helped millions of women. Well be right back. Coaching means making tough choices. Jim youre in but when you have high Blood Pressure and need Cold Medicine that works fast, the choice is simple. Coricidin hbp is the 1 brand that gives powerful cold symptom relief without raising your Blood Pressure. Coricidin hbp. You might or joints. Hing for your heart. But do you take something for your brain. With an ingredient originally discovered in jellyfish, prevagen has been shown in Clinical Trials to improve shortterm memory. Prevagen. Healthier brain. Better life. But allstate actually helps you drive safely. With drivewise. It lets you know when you go too fast. And brake too hard. With feedback to help you drive safer. Giving you the power to actually lower your cost. Unfortunately, it cant do anything about that. Now that you know the truth. Are you in good hands . We turn next this friday night to an abc news exclusive. Robin roberts, oneonone with Michelle Obama. The former first lady revealing to robin her onetime personal struggle. Reporter former first lady Michelle Obama says shes opening up about her difficulties getting pregnant to help others. Its a struggle that many couples go through, fertility. Yes. Reporter and you wrote about a miscarriage. I felt lost and alone. And i felt like i failed because i didnt know how common miscarriages were, because we dont talk about them. Reporter it was with the help of infertility treatments that malia, and then sasha, were finally conceived. And i realized that, as i was 34 and 35, we had to do ivf. Reporter in becoming, michelle also writes about a time period a few years after they moved into the white house, when she was particularly worried for her familys safety. Donald trump and other socalled birthers were questioning whether her husband was an american citizen, something she describes as meanspirited and dangerous. What if someone with an unstable mind loaded a gun and drove to washington. What if that person went looking for our girls . Donald trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my familys safety at risk. And for this, id never forgive him. The Robin Roberts interview on 20 20, becoming michelle, airing sunday night at 9 00 p. M. Eastern, right here on abc. When we come back, news about the set of a wellknown tv show, burned to the ground here. And also, news about ruth bader ginsburg. Ooh, so close. Yes, but also all. Night through its entirety. Come on, all. The time from sunset to sunrise. 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And one more headline about the devastating fires here in california. Authorities report the town used as the set for Hbos Westworld has been destroyed by the woolsey fire. The Paramount Ranch had been used in dozens of films and tv shows since 1927. When we come back on a friday night, something really important that we thought we should end the week with. Man my greatgrandfather gave everything to preserve our way of life. Woman they called him the oneman army. Man 2 he ran 100 yards under heavy fire for the country he believed in. Woman 2 he wasnt born in america, but he is a part of american history, forever. From capital one. Nd i switched to the spark cash card but he is a part of american history, i earn unlimited 2 cash back on everything i buy. And last year, i earned 36,000 in cash back. Which i used to offer Health Insurance to my employees. Whats in your wallet . Metastatic Breast Cancer is trying to stop me, but not today. 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Your doctor should perform blood tests before you start and while taking xeljanz xr, and monitor certain liver tests. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Xeljanz xr can reduce the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Dont let another morning go by without talking to your rheumatologist about xeljanz xr. Tailored recommendations, taxefficient investing strategies, and a dedicated advisor to help you grow and protect your wealth. Fidelity wealth management. And finally tonight here, with these fires now, we did not want to forget that just a day ago, we were covering a massacre. Tonight, the 12 names, the 12 faces, lost. There have been so many of these heavy weeks, but thank you for watching. I really appreciate you being here with us. Im david muir, reporting from california. Good night. Record books. We l live in Southern California tonight where flames are headed to the ocean and burning down everything in the way. Now from abc 7, live breaking news. About 80 of the houses in town are gone. Were about 95 sure our house is gone. Just terrifying. In butte county the camp fire is on track to be one of the most destructive wildfires in state history and it has been burning less than 36 hours. Good evening. Thank you for joining us. Im ama daetz. Im dan ashley. The president has declared an emergency in the state of california which means federal help is on the way as we face several massive wildfires in Southern California and of course here in Northern California. We are expecting an update from cal fire any moment now on the camp fire burning in butte county. We it bring you to you live as we look at the live podium here. The death toll just increased to six lives. An estimated 2,000 structures burned down, many of them homes, other structures as well. The fire has charred 70,000 acres at least. Yes. A pg e line could actually be connected to the cause of the fire. About an hour ago we got word pg e reported problems on a transmission line near the camp fire minutes before the fire started yesterday morning. This is a cope y of the ema that was sent. They say a transmission pole was damaged resulting in a power outage at 6 15. Cal fire says the camp fire started near that area at 6 about 3 00 a. M. Pg e e made a statement to abc 7 news tonight saying, quote, the cause of the camp fire has not yet been determined, and pg e will fully cooperate with any investigation. Of course, pg e has faced a lot of criticism recently in