This is an account of God’s protection and great care for His people. While a major firestorm fueled by Santa Ana winds recently ravaged the San Diego area, believers steadfastly prayed in the midst of adversity and looked to God for victory over seemingly impossible odds.

Ern and Jacque Gladden live in a remote setting on 40 acres of backcountry bordering the Cleveland National Forest. They developed the property over the last several years, bringing in power, water and all resources needed to supply their modular home which they located on a ridge overlooking the surrounding area. They established their home and property with prayer, and when they were ready to move in, they named it “Grace Ranch” in gratitude to God for His abounding grace.

On Sunday, October 21, Ern and Jacque drove away from their home to do some errands in the nearby town of Dulzura. They first spotted smoke at around 12:30, and not realizing how close the fires actually were, thought the fires were moving away from them toward Mexico. However, when they returned home an hour later, the fire had traveled eight miles and it was moving in their direction. Locating a good vantage point to evaluate the situation, Ern saw flames in the distance spreading across the entire horizon. He observed a massive amount of fire and smoke backed by fierce winds blowing in a southwesterly direction, right toward their property.

By 2:30 a mandatory evacuation was issued and the Border Patrol was going house to house, telling people to leave as quickly as possible. Ern and Jacque had only enough time to grab their important papers, a few changes of clothing and their dog. They left for Todd and Shelley Stork’s home, where they stayed throughout the following week.

Upon arrival at the Storks’ home, Ern called them together to pray. That set the pattern for the days ahead. Shelley got on the phone and requested prayer from the local believers. As the word spread during the next several days, believers all around the country were praying.

Because of the ongoing danger as the firefighters attempted to gain control and containment of the fires, nobody was allowed access into the area to check on their properties. Also, because of the multiple fires burning in the San Diego area, firefighting resources were spread thin and the local news reports were not encouraging. One evening news report was actually broadcast from a location about a mile from the Gladdens’ property. It appeared that there was no firefighting air support, no fire trucks entering the area and there were fires raging on both sides of the major roadway nearby with winds blowing 60 to 70 m.p.h. It certainly presented a temptation to fear and believe the senses evidence rather than God. But instead they were reassured and strengthened by the power of prayer and the promises of God.

Still unable to return to their home, on Friday, October 26, they attended a community informational session with the local fire authorities. They were directed to check a Google map online for current fire conditions. The topographical map showed an arrow referring to the Harris Fire and it was pointing directly at their house! But staying strong in prayer, Ern sent out an email and shared, “Our home address is not listed on the official list of destroyed or damaged properties, so we remain believing.” And believe they did!

The following morning they were allowed to return to their property. With Todd and Shelly, they drove through about five miles of ash and burned homes. The community was devastated. All the neighbors in their immediate neighborhood lost their homes and everything they owned. But the Gladdens’ home was not touched by the fire. Prayer had provided a hedge of protection around Grace Ranch.

As they surveyed the property they realized how complete God’s protection was. In their rush to evacuate, they had left a couple of windows in their home open with curtains hanging in the openings. The fire that

raged through their area was an extremely hot fire moved by very forceful winds. Any hot embers blowing in could have easily ignited and spread fire throughout the house. Although they found evidence of black ash inside the house, under their garage door and in the power house, there was no residue of soot, scorch marks or burn marks on the outside of their house and other structures. They realized there was not even the smell of smoke in their home! They described that moment of realization as a “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego moment!”

The fire had literally burned acres and acres around their property and then stopped right at the property line surrounding their ranch. A gas tank and wood pile was left untouched, along with their solar panels and even the plastic dog house!

In an email sent out after their return home, Ern shared, “Thanks so much for your prayers, God answers prayer… The fire came within feet of the buildings, all structures on the way into the ranch are gone. God’s hedge of protection saved our home. When returning we have power, water, food and all was taken care of.”

His closing words: “I Corinthians 15:57: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”