Beginning Jan. 7, thousands of firefighters across Los Angeles County valiantly battled the Palisades, Eaton and other fires that ignited across the region, using everything in their power and training to quench the fires until they were 100 percent contained around Jan. 18. While we call firefighters our heroes, they are also our neighbors. Several off-duty and retired firefighters faced the harrowing reality of fighting to protect their own homes — ultimately fleeing to save their lives.