Nightly News   |  June 27, 2012

Evacuated: uncertainty breeds fear in the fire zone

The epic Colorado wildfire calls for split-second decisions as residents are asked to evacuate. Rushing to find shelter, they cling to the hope that they won’t lose everything. NBC’s Kristen Dahlgren reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>> when we use figures like 32,000 evacuations, try to think about what that means, apply it to your own life. all these people are yanked from their homes and their lives and told to get out now. they are forced to make split second decisions and they often don't know where to go. we have some of their stories tonight from nbc's kristen dahlgren.

>> oh, my god, this is just not good.

>> reporter: if you had just minutes to leave your home, what would you bring?

>> things passed down from my mom.

>> reporter: where would you go? what would you worry most about?

>> how do i get to her? do you know how i get to her?

>> reporter: family, pets. for 32,000 now, decisions are split second. there's no time. bobby romero can't reach his sister-in-law.

>> i'm just praying a lot, praying a lot.

>> he's going to have to find a new home today.

>> for some, home is back of a truck. for others with friends in safe neighborhoods. or if they are lucky to find a vacancy --

>> right now i just need to be in a hotel because i need to calm my dog down. the uncertainty is just is my house still standing .

>> reporter: do more than watch.

>> i have a tv in my room and a radio and a clock. i just miss all my things.

>> reporter: clinging to what they do still have, hope.

>> hoping that fire will go away.

>> reporter: knowing that for some, that hope may be all they have left.

>> god is good, and it's going to be okay.

>> reporter: kristen dahlgren, nbc news.