- During the Woolsey fire,

tens of thousands of people

like Brenda Epperson and her family

were forced to flee their homes

in search of safety.

The fire literally camewithin feet of her property,

but was spared,

she says because of the power of prayer.

- This is the closest point right here.

- [John] Hollywood actress Brenda Epperson

has played many rolesthroughout her career.

♪ You make it through ♪

- [John] But none more dramatic

than when her home becamepart of the backdrop

of last November's Woolsey fire.

- This mountain was in flames

and it was jumping over the road.

And I was,

I was petrified.

- [John] Thinking she was safe,

after hours taking in nearby friends

and their farm animals

Brenda suddenly found herself

under a mandatory evacuation.

- And my husband came in

with this horrific look on his face

and he said we have to go now.

The fire's at the top of the hill.

- [John] As they prepared to leave,

she did the only thing in her power.

I just started praying

over our home,

over the neighbors and over the city

and the towns and the people.

And just crying out to God

and just quoting his word.

You know you said in your word Psalms 91,

" Whoever dwells in theshelter of the most high

"will find rest in his mighty shadow.

"I will say the Lord is my refuge,

" and my God and my trust Lord.

God stopped that fire.

- [John] After the fire,

Brenda told CBN news in

a Skype interview herprayers were answered

for both her and most of her neighbors.

Unlike this fence acrossthe street from her home,

the fire left these wooden crosses

and the fencing along herproperty completely untouched.

Farther up the coast,

a different story.

The Campfire in northernCalifornia became the deadliest

in state history burningmore than 150,000 acres,

destroying nearly 20,000buildings and killing

more than 80 people.

- There ain't nothing to go back to.

We're basically homeless right now.

- [John] CBN's OperationBlessing is still here

helping area churches give much needed aid

to the fire victims.

- They've lost their whole homes,

their whole lives and sothey're feeling really heavy

and so we want to come along side 'em.

- [John] As if things couldn't get worse,

mid January's non-stoprain triggered mud slides

that washed out roadsand brought down houses

that escaped the wild fires.

Still Brenda says she's already seeing

some good things emerge.

- I just really believe

that God is gonna use his fire

to cause revival to breakout in people's hearts.

And in their minds and by his spirit.

- It will take yearsto rebuild and recover.

For people like Brenda,

the charred remains ofthe fire aren't reminders

of what's been lost rathera symbol of what's to come.

As Isiah 61 reads,

" A crown of beauty for ashes,

"an oil of joy for morning,

"and garments of praiseinstead of despair."

John Jessup for CBN News reporting

in Agora Hills, California.