The Back Story
On the night of October 8, 2017, a family residing on their rural property in Sonoma County faced an unexpected and devastating crisis as the Tubbs Fire erupted approximately 12 miles away. Without any notification of the fire’s outbreak, they found themselves cut off from escape routes as their road was engulfed in flames. As an active volunteer firefighter with the nearby Mountain Fire Department, the father, Micheal Kay, recognized the urgency of the situation when he spotted an ominous orange glow on the horizon. He told his wife and children to prepare for evacuation.
In a courageous effort to warn others, he made his way to a second rental home on their property, alerting several individuals about the impending disaster. He quickly cut through the rear fence to create a dirt trail leading to a nearby golf course, facilitating the escape of those in danger. After ensuring everyone was evacuated, he re-entered the firestorm, dedicating the night to fighting ground fires and protecting neighbors’ homes, as well as the commercial buildings on the golf course…