SAN DIEGO -- A month ago, half of Scripps Ranch was evacuated as fire threatened thousands of homes.

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When the fire was finally over, 343 homes were destroyed and many lives changed, including those of the firefighters at the scene.

Fire Capt. Dan Saner paid his first visit to his home since the fire hit his neighborhood.

"Smoke was down to our ankles. You could hardly see. It was one of most amazing things I've seen in my life," Saner said. "When you turned and looked into fire coming over hill, hit with golf ball sized embers -- it was difficult to even be out here."

Four firefighters, including Saner, battled the incredible force of nature and saved some homes.

The wind was blowing at 60 mph. Saner said a "firestorm" was a perfect description of the wildfires that hit San Diego County.

"The only thing we could do was stand in the way of part of it," Saner said. "I'm just happy to see homes standing. It is great to see some of our work that really paid off."

It took everything they had that day to save the homes. They battled with their hearts.

Saner has been touched over the last weeks as grateful fire victims express their thanks to him and his crew.