The owner of Safari West near Santa Rosa is being called a hero for saving over a thousand animals at his wildlife preserve. When the Tubbs Fire broke out Sunday night, Peter Lang rushed his wife, employees, and 30 guests down the hill and out of harm's way.
The 77-year-old stayed behind and coerced his animals to move from enclosure to enclosure. He doused hot spots from burning embers with a garden hose. By the time dawn arrived, Lang had lost his home to fire, but not a single animal on his 400-acre facility was hurt. He explains that he simply had "a thousand souls to save."