Heroism,

MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers MESMERIZING—The Topanga Fire burns above Kuehner Drive in Simi Valley on Wed., Sept. 28 as the fires begin to pick up speed in the winds. heart, healing

A FRIGHTFUL BEGINNING—The 118 Freeway was closed on Wednesday due to the out-of-control fire that started at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and moved west into Simi Valley. Janie Weinstein shot these photos from atop the hill at Yosemite and Flanagan. Sometimes people are almost hypnotized by the spectacle of a huge fire. FLAMES APPROACHING—The fire in Bell Canyon rages in this unenhanced shot taken by Scott Grant at 6:39 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 29, when a breeze pushed the flames down the canyon toward homes on Hackamore Lane. The blaze was fought gallantly by firefighters from different departments. They saved thousands of homes. Now a new phase begins. WATCHING THE DRAMA UNFOLD—Bell Canyon residents are glued to the view just across the canyon as fire races toward their home. Looking out their kitchen window, left to right, are residents Erin Landrum, Tommy Tye and Celeste Covis. The photo was taken by neighbor Sandeep Divekar. Not long afterwards, a fireball shot across the canyon, hitting the side of the building, shattering the glass windows. The building sustained no further damage from the fire, as firefighters quickly moved in to subdue the flames. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers NOT THE VIEW THEY HOPED FOR—Following the Topanga Fire, a home along Santa Susana Pass Road is now surrounded by charred hillsides.