conditions are textbook for the fires to get out of control. >> into the steep terrain with the heavy fuels and wind-driven. it's a bad administration fthin. >> reporter: planes and choppers swoop in, spraying water. hundreds of fire fighters are battling the fire threatening over 3,000 residents. >> it's my home, property, everything. >> reporter: frank owns 20 rental cabins in the area. a popular tourist destination. >> got the workers and my family and the guests out. >> reporter: they are bracing for the worst. >> i'm getting the hell out of here. >> reporter: rushing to grab whatever belongings they can before evacuating. >> i hear it's close. it's zero-percent contained at this point. trying to be ahead of the game. >> reporter: one woman desperately trying to find all of her cats. >> we're just trying to round them up and get them to a safer place. i have three right now.