A Boulevard couple is safe after a sheriff's deputy and CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire firefighter paramedics helped them evacuate as the Thorn Fire shifted toward their Tierra Heights home Wednesday evening, according to the San Diego County News Center.

County officials said Patti Fisher, 74, and Dan Shanahan, 70, initially saw the fire moving away from their property before winds and conditions changed. Flames later reached their backyard area, helicopters were dropping water overhead, and smoke began surrounding the home as Sheriff's Deputy John Ferris returned to check on them.

Ferris called for an ambulance, and firefighter paramedics Fredric Miltimore and Lee Woods were rerouted from the fire line to help Fisher get out safely. County officials said additional crews arrived after the ambulance left and fought the fire through the night, ultimately saving the couple's home.

The rescue happened in Boulevard, but the lesson applies across East County, including Santee neighborhoods near open space and wildfire corridors: fires can change direction quickly, and evacuation planning needs to happen before smoke is at the door. County emergency officials encourage residents to create a disaster plan, build an emergency kit, sign up for AlertSanDiego notifications and download the Genasys Protect app.