Californian hero filmed rescuing rabbit as wildfire rages on

  • 08/12/2017
The man coaxed the rabbit away from the fire before grabbing it between his hands.
The man coaxed the rabbit away from the fire before grabbing it between his hands. Photo credit: RMG News

A Los Angeles man has become an instant viral sensation after putting himself in danger to rescue a bunny that would've been burnt to a crisp in Californian wildfire.

Footage captured by RMG News shows him running frantically on the edge of the flames, momentarily losing hope as the rabbit ran further into the fire.

But after a short time, it returned - and with a quick lunge he captured it in his grasp and ran it to safety.

Hundreds of schools have shut their doors as the Skirball fires wreak havoc on Southern California, forcing about 200,000 people to flee, destroying hundreds of houses and closing at least 265 schools.

Dry Santa Ana winds, blowing westward from the California desert, could reach 130km/h on Thursday.

Video and photographs on social media showed flame-covered hillsides along busy roadways on Wednesday as commuters slowly made their way to work or home.

No civilian casualties or fatalities have been reported as a result of the blaze. Three firefighters were injured and hospitalised in stable condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Reuters / Newshub.