or


[08/02/18 - 11:25 AM]
New Episode of ABC News' "20/20: In An Instant" Tells the Story of the Valley Fire That Eviscerated Northern California, Saturday, Aug. 4
The franchise returns for its fourth year on the Alphabet.

[via press release from ABC]

AS WILDFIRES RAGE THROUGHOUT THE WEST, '20/20: IN AN INSTANT' TELLS THE STORY OF THE VALLEY FIRE THAT EVISCERATED NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Details How Residents Made Desperate Attempts to Escape and Survive

'20/20: In An Instant' Airs Saturday, Aug. 4 (9:00 - 11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC

While wildfires rage across the West this week, "20/20: In An Instant" retells heart-pounding, first-hand accounts of the valley fire that eviscerated Northern California in 2015, through breathtaking dramatizations. The powerful series features gripping interviews with the people whose lives were on the line and those who were instrumental in helping them survive during the devastating fires. Ordinary people stared death in the face and outlasted tremendous odds. What key decisions did they make to save themselves? "20/20: In An Instant" airs SATURDAY, AUG. 4 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network.

"In An Instant: Fire on the Mountain"

In September 2015, one of the worst fires in California history forever changed the lives of the people and the rescuers of Lake County. Extreme drought and high winds would ignite a fire so?fierce and so unpredictable that residents would find themselves?trapped by flames.

For Angel and Nathan Wood, that morning?started as any other mornings would have. They kissed their 18-month-old daughter, Jessie, goodbye and headed to work leaving?Jessie at their Cobb Mountain home with Angel's mom, who was visiting from Scotland.

At work, Angel noticed a fire?in the distance and raced home, but found police blocking her road. Despite police warnings, Angel?started up the mountain, but as the flames crept in around her, she was forced to turn around.

By now, the fire had jumped the highway and was spreading into nearby Middletown, where Cody Smith got a frantic call from his wife, Jessica, who was nine months pregnant. Her screams confirmed his worst fears, "The fire's here!"

Cody immediately headed home; and when he arrived, he saw flames surrounding his neighborhood. They were trapped and took shelter in their sand-filled horse arena. Unable to get through to 911, Cody had one last idea. He turned on his work radio and called for help. Miraculously, someone responded. It was Cody's friend who assured him "we will find a way to get to you." They were able to direct a sheriff to Cody's location and that sheriff helped guide them through the only safe route out of town.

Meanwhile, Angel and Nathan Wood were on opposite sides of the mountain, agonizing over 18-month-old Jessie and Angel's mother trapped in their home in the fire zone. But, rescuer Tim Little had managed to weave his way through the flaming mountain trails and reach the Wood's home in time to get everyone to safety.

Though the Woods lost their home and everything inside, they didn't lose what was important: each other. They were safely reunited outside the fire zone thanks to Tim's heroic actions.

"20/20: In An Instant" is executive produced by Maria Awes and Andy Awes for Committee Films in association with ABC News' Lincoln Square Productions. Rudy Bednar is executive producer on behalf of Lincoln Square Productions. David Sloan is executive producer for "20/20."

About Lincoln Square Productions

ABC News' Lincoln Square Productions produces original content for broadcast, cable and digital distribution specializing in compelling ways to tell fact-based stories, including ABC's "What Would You Do?," "Madoff," "In An Instant" and the "Oscars(R) Opening Ceremony: Live From the Red Carpet," Investigation Discovery's "Barbara Walters Presents," as well as documentary programming for a wide array of partners, including PBS, Discovery Communications and A & E Networks. Lincoln Square Productions is wholly owned by the American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. The headquarters are located in New York City's Lincoln Square neighborhood.





  [august 2018]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· IN AN INSTANT (ABC)





[09/17/25 - 03:15 PM]
Nexstar ABC Affiliates to Preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Indefinitely Beginning Tonight
The company's owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight's show.

[09/17/25 - 03:14 PM]
Buccaneers at Texans Delivers 17.4 Million Viewers, ESPN's Most-Watched "MNF" Week 2 Game Since 2008
Additionally, the Buccaneers-Texans is ESPN's most-watched individual game on weeks with multiple "MNF" games, whether a true doubleheader or two games with staggered start times.

[09/17/25 - 02:14 PM]
Apple TV+ Lands "The Off Weeks," New Drama Starring and Executive Produced by Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain
When divorce throws writing professor Gus Adler's life into chaos, he struggles to hold things together during "on weeks" when he has custody of his kids.

[09/17/25 - 12:21 PM]
Prime Video Announces Franchise Expansion with Greenlight of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" Movie
While story details are still under wraps, the surprise news was announced this evening at the series' finale red carpet celebration in Paris, France.

[09/17/25 - 12:01 PM]
Most Valuable Promotions Moves Blockbuster Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis Event to Miami, Florida's Kaseya Center on Friday, November 14, Live Globally Only on Netflix
The blockbuster event, Jake vs. Tank, pits boxing's most-watched disruptor against one of the sport's most feared punchers in a collision that has been four years in the making.

[09/17/25 - 12:01 PM]
Next on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN - October 2025
Upcoming premieres include: "Fate" (October 8), "Murdaugh: Death in the Family" (October 15), and "LEGO Frozen: Operations Puffins" (October 24).

[09/17/25 - 12:01 PM]
"Camp Rock 3" Officially Greenlit for Disney+ and Disney Channel
Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas will return to their iconic roles.

[09/17/25 - 12:00 PM]
"The Price Is Right" and "Let's Make a Deal" Kick Off New Seasons Beginning Monday, Sept. 22 with Special Episodes
The former returns for its landmark 54th season and will introduce a new pricing game in partnership with BetMGM, "The Lion's Share."

[09/17/25 - 10:26 AM]
USA Network Serves Up "Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman," Premiering Friday, October 24 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT
The travel series follows WWE legend Braun Strowman as he swaps body slams for bite-sized adventures at some of America's favorite local eateries.

[09/17/25 - 10:23 AM]
"Unaccustomed Earth" Adds Justin Bartha, Jayant Kripalani, Parveen Kaur, Swayam Bhatia and Palomi Ghosh to Cast
They join the previously announced Freida Pinto, Siddharth, Sarayu Blue, Indraneil Sengupta, Adi Roy, and Iyla Sundarsingh Mckaig.

[09/17/25 - 10:13 AM]
Video: Official Trailer - "Abbott Elementary" Returns October 1 on ABC and Stream on Hulu
Watch the season premiere Wednesday, October 1 at 8:30/7:30c on ABC and stream on Hulu.

[09/17/25 - 10:01 AM]
Award-Winning Artist and Horror Aficionado Janelle Monae Returns as "HalloQueen" for AMC Networks' "FearFest" Programming Event Celebrating Horror and Genre
The long-running, annual horror and genre programming event featuring over 650 hours of iconic horror films franchises, new series, specials and more, across linear and streaming.

[09/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
Mario Lopez Set to Host the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Exclusive Collaboration with "Access Hollywood"
The event will be streamed live at watch.theemmys.tv and via The Emmys app on Friday, October 17.

[09/17/25 - 09:56 AM]
"South Park" to Continue on Wednesday, September 24th at 10PM ET/PT on Comedy Central
Regarding tonight's previously scheduled episode: "Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don't get it done," said Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

[09/17/25 - 09:07 AM]
The CW Gives Classic TV Fans the Chance to Step Back in Time with "TV We Love"
The nostalgic series celebrates eight of America's most iconic television shows and the indelible mark they left on popular culture.