Phillip Dahan and Linda Savoie thought they were going to die when the Atlas Fire exploded back in October, but that grim belief was wiped away when a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew swept them to safety.
The couple on Oct. 8 woke up to wind-whipped flames surrounding their North Bay neighborhood and a California Highway Patrol helicopter blaring evacuation warnings over a loud speaker.
Dahan and Savoie hopped in a car and tried to escape, but all of the roads leading to safety were completely blocked, according to the CHP.
With flames roaring closer, the pair was told to get on the ground and let the fire burn over them, according to the CHP.
Believing death was imminent, Dahan and Savoie called their sons to say their final goodbyes. Just when all hope seemed lost, a CHP helicopter landed nearby. Officer Lowe scooped the couple up and Officer Gavitte flew them to safety.
Roughly two months later, Dahan and Savoie paid a visit to the Napa Air Operations Hangar to personally offer their gratitude to the two officers who help saved their lives.
The Atlas Fire scorched 51,624 acres, destroyed 481 structures and damaged another 90 in Napa and Solano counties, according to Cal Fire.
Local
Dahan and Savoie were lucky, but a total of 43 people lost their lives as a result of the North Bay fires.
