homes and claiming the lives of 15 people including a firefighter from the bay area. 38-year-old steven rucker of novato was killed when the fire went over his crew. recker left behind a wife and two young children. lloyd lacuesta and photographer quisan filed this report in 2003. >> let's go. let's get out of here. >> reporter: highway 79 was the major battleground today. at one point the flames jumped this highway at interstate 8 sending people running including us when we found a wall of flame between us and our car. >> you want to make a run for it? >> let's go. >> let's go. >> earlier authorities ordered residents out in the towns of julian, pine valley, toscano and gutay. >> you need to head west then they're going to send you east. >> i live here. i'm getting out of here right now. he's coming around the corner right now. i'm going to sit right here and wait see which way he wants to go. >> how are you feeling? are you okay? >> i'm scared, scared, scared. >> reporter: at the parking lot of the local market a flat clear area some evacuees evacuees decided to wait it out. >> at this point