'We've got fingers crossed' Residents in limbo as neighbourhoods remain at risk

When Aaron McNeil moved from Maryland to Los Angeles three years ago, his biggest worry was earthquakes. "I had heard of a fire here and there in this area, but it wasn't anything to be really concerned about," McNeil said on Sunday.

- Kate Mishkin

But after being evacuated from his Brentwood home after a fire ripped through the Pacific Palisades, his fears changed.

"So yeah, it's definitely beat out the earthquake thing," he said. After he was evacuated, McNeil, his wife and two children fled to a Culver City hotel. "Because it was just so close; down the street. We could definitely see the smoke. I don't know if I ever saw the fire but I'm sure people who stayed longer than we did could."

On Sunday afternoon, he returned to his home for more belongings. "We have no idea when they're going to lift the evacuation. So just since we're at least allowed in right now... we just grabbed a few more [bits of] essential stuff."