Jan 27, 2025
Mark Salser worried he had lost his parents in the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Susan and Winston Salser, both in their 80s, refused to evacuate from their Pacific Palisades home despite being surrounded by the inferno.
But thanks to what their son describes as the couple's "tenacity," their home is one of only three left standing on their street.
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As the flames approached, the couple stayed behind to protect their property, each armed with a garden hose.
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"I used the hose to control the ground fire and stop that end of the house from burning," Susan told ABC7 in a story broadcast Jan. 14. "I wasn't sure where Winston was. I couldn't contact him, but it turned out he was at the south end of the house doing the same thing, using a hose to keep the flames from touching the house."
Winston suffered burns to his arms and legs while fighting the fire, per ABC7, but would only need to stay in hospital for a short time.
This wasn't the couple's first wildfire
Susan and Winston aren't new to California fires. In 1978, they saved their home in similar fashion when a blaze threatened the Pacific Palisades, according to the local broadcaster.
Mark was asked to explain how his elderly parents were able to save their home.
"Tenacity," he told ABC7. "Both of my parents are really smart people and are adept at dealing with things."
Despite everything the couple has been through at the home, Susan says she can't imagine leaving.
"This is heaven for me, this location," she said. "Here I stay, whether it's as a human being or ashes I don't know, but so far it's as a human being."
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Proactive steps to protect your home
In California and other regions, wildfires are becoming an increasingly common threat. Fortunately, there are several protective measures you can take to limit your risk.
Fit your home with fire-resistant materials
Upgrading your home with fire-resistant materials can be an effective way to protect it from wildfires. For example, FEMA previously recommended installing or replacing your roof with non-combustible materials.
"The roof is the most at-risk in a wildfire because of its size and orientation," the agency explains.
FEMA also suggested installing fire-resistant exterior wall coverings, along with multi-pane windows, tempered safety glass or fireproof shutters to protect large windows from radiant heat.
Take proactive maintenance steps
Another step you can take is maintaining the area immediately outside of your home. FEMA recommended clearing out flammable vegetation and combustible materials within 30 feet of your home to create a defensible space. In addition, regularly cleaning and removing debris from rooftops and gutters can be helpful, as debris can catch fire from wind-blown embers.
On the topic of embers, the agency also suggested covering exterior attic vents and under-eave vents with metal wire mesh to keep embers out.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer whose work has appeared in publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love. She’s especially passionate about helping families and kids learn smart money habits early.
