Some Good News Amid A Terrible Tragedy
Three wildfires are still ravaging the region in Southern California.
According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire is only 14% contained and has burned 23,713 acres. The Eaten Fire and Hearst Fire are 33% and 89% contained, respectively. Cal Fire is concerned as they head into the rest of the week, with projected high winds complicating the situation. This devastating tragedy has already claimed 24 lives and destroyed an unimaginable number of homes and livelihoods.
In the midst of the heartbreaking tragedy, NBC News reporter Liz Kreutz shared a heartwarming story.
On the first day of the fire, which began on January 7th, a distraught man named Casey Colvin approached Kreutz. He was out of the home when he got his evacuation notice as the fires had started that morning, and he could not get home to his two dogs, Oreo and Tika Tika Tika, whom he lovingly referred to as his family. Due to all the road closures and the dangerous nature of the situation, Colvin had no option but to sit and wait.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he asked, “How can I get home?” and began to cry.
Thankfully, an incredible firefighter saw him crying and came to help. According to Kreutz’s Instagram, Colvin’s house at the time had not burned, and the firefighter was able to return with his one dog, Tika Tika Tika. Unfortunately, they could not rescue his dog, Oreo.
Kreutz shared on her Instagram that “Oreo, a rescue who Casey says is behavioral, apparently ran out of the house and is now missing.”
Experience the emotional moment when Colvin realizes he cannot reach his dogs, and then watch as he reunites with Tika.
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The Search For Oreo Begins
Colvin was reunited with one of his precious pups but stopped at nothing to get his Oreo back.
In the coming days, there were multiple Oreo spottings throughout the neighborhood, but no one could catch the dog due to his behavioral issues.
People spotted Oreo among the rubble of burned-down houses and throughout the neighborhood. According to Kreutz’s Instagram, Colvin was even planning on sleeping in front of the house, but “Brentwood was on fire, and two sets of firefighters told me the winds are too unpredictable and that they were afraid that we could all be killed.”
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Oreo Is Found After Five Days Of The Wildfire
On January 12th, a neighbor spotted Oreo in their home, and Colvin came to the rescue.
When Oreo saw Colvin, he came running. Colvin picked him up and ran into the street, cheering and grateful to have his pet by his side.
The whole time, he sayed, “You’re alive, you’re alive,” and then, “Thank you, Jesus, thank you, God.”
Watch the moving reunion below