. >> reporter: gordon piper remembers the 1991 oakwood hills firestorm like it was yesterday. >> we have department piece of cake, nothing to worry about. save gordon and his family, the evacuated and survived. 25 others would perish, as the fire raged for three days running more than 1500 acres and destroyed 3000 homes, including gordons. >> what were getting rid of. 30 feet in the air. >> reporter: gordon has not dedicated himself to keeping his self saved. the last three decades he's organized nearly 1000 brush cleanups. today the hayes from the kinkaid fire, gordon leads a small army of uc berkeley as a gather, bag and dump. >> hillary conlon sees him as the neighborhood steward. >> gordon pushes, court and pushes caltrans to do their part, he pushes pg&e to do their part, he pushes the city of oakland to do their part. >> reporter: gordon has worked with state and local agencies is coupled with assistance that he received from corporate donations and homeowners. that is not the only way that he honors those who lost everything in 1991. he also organized the gateway emergency prepare

. >> reporter: gordon piper remembers the oakland hills firestorm like it was yesterday . >> we have been told it was nothing to worry about and what a minute later a neighbor said the fire has crested the hill and get out now. >> reporter: the warning saved their family when they evacuated and survived. 25 others perished as the fire burned 1500 acres and destroyed 3000 homes. >> what we are getting rid of here can send the flames 30 feet in the air. >> reporter: gordon has dedicated himself to keeping his community save organizing nearly 1000 brush cleanups, like this one. today after the historic from the kincade fire he leads a small army of uc berkeley student volunteers as they gather mountains of fire prone vegetation. hilary conlen sees gordon as the neighborhood steward. >> gordon pushes caltrans to do their part. he pushes pg&e to do their part and he pushes the city of oakland to do their part. >> reporter: he receives assistance from corporate donations of homeowners but that is not the only way he honors those who lost everything in 1991. he also organized the exhibit ce

for helping keep his community safer from fires, this year's jefferson award goes to gordon piper. >>n nominate your own local hero for a jefferson award online at kpix.com/hero . awardyou shouldn't have toero . live with pain. you shouldn't have to pretend you're fine. you shouldn't have to be the ambulance. you shouldn't have to be thinking about the cost. you should just be focused on her. covered california can help you find a health plan that fits your needs and budget. because we believe you shouldn't have to choose between the life you've built and the care you need. (vo) ♪ i know what you're thinking. electric, it's not for you. and, you're probably right. electric just doesn't have enough range. it will never survive the winter. charging stations? good luck finding one of those. so, maybe an electric car isn't for you after all. or, is it? ♪ >>> it is 6:56 and time for a look at this morning's top stories. >>> in just a few hours, thousands are expected to gather to walk to end alzheimer's. you can still register. the ceremony begins at 9:30 and the walk kicks off at 10:00 a.