that s when the danger really set in. fire and wind of that magnitude is very dangerous. reporter: after a rush to the parking lot, gridlocked as hundreds tried to flee the crowded shopping center i looked back at my son and he was trying to hold back tears i just told him, we re going to be okay we re going to be okay we said a little prayer. reporter: tonight, though shaken by the experience that was the scariest part for me because i said those words that we were going to be okay, but i was just saying it until i could believe it reporter: the fletcher family glad to be alive. steve patterson joins me now steve, good news for the fletcher family. but for many colorado families, still a lot of unknowns tonight. reporter: well, peter, still tens of thousands under mandatory evacuation, and so many worried about the status of their homes. but despite that, there is no eta on when they can return home officials say despite all the snow now, this is still very much an activ