A brave border collie trapped in the Californian Camp Fire stayed to protect a neighbouring house as the fire raged around her.
Forced to evacuate their home, Ella's owners, Mike and Leanha Copsey, left with their two daughters, Clarisa, eight, and Emma, 10, on November 8.
At first the Copsey family didn't think there was too much to worry about, Leanha said she had read on social media about a small fire that had broken out in the hills but thought it was under control and would be put out before it became too big.
However, as the day went on the sky began to get darker and darker, so they decided to leave.
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Leanha said: "I thought it was raining. I went and put my hands out and charcoal fell from the trees."
The pet pooch was tragically left behind as the family fled the fire, and despite having to fend for herself, she survived. She was discovered two days later, badly burned but standing watch on her neighbour's house, the only property left on the entire block.
Leanha was certain Ella died in the blaze, but when a friend called to tell them she was alive, the family were over the moon.
She told local media: "She was protecting it... she was protecting the only house left on the block."
Her daughter, Clarisa, added: "She's a really good dog... so I was really relieved she was alive."
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The courageous pooch is now being looked after by the Copsey's eldest daughter, Kayla Westman, who recently started a GoFundMe page and shared pictures of Ella wrapped in bandages.
And within three days of setting up the page they have trebled their target and raised $1,834 to help pay for the dog's medical bills.
In the post Kayla wrote: "It's definitely an odd feeling asking for financial help. And amongst the thousands of others that need help as well; my family and I are there too,' Kayla wrote.
"Like many other animals that have been affected by the Camp Fire, Ella is one of them.
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"After going through the fire we are very lucky to have her back with us. And while vet bills have already been discounted for fire victims, it's still adding up quickly.
"Already spending $250, any little bit helps for the future visits we will be making," the crowdfunding page states."
As of Sunday night, 77 people died and another 993 were reported missing in the Northern California Camp Fire.
Featured Image Credit: Go Fund MeTopics: Interesting, US News, Animals