CNN PRODUCER NOTE     While driving home on August 27, DustinWaller says he noticed a little brown plume of smoke in the foothills just north of Arroyo Verde Park that grew larger as he continued down the road. "You could tell that it was getting much bigger, people were stopping their cars to get out and look," he says.

As he arrived closer to the closed park, where firefighters and helicopters were being dispatched, he says he and his friend hiked up the foothills east of the fire to get a better look. "There was a large number of people awe struck by the black clouds blanketing the blue sky. If you looked closely you could see the several firefighters hiking along the blaze," he says. "I'll admit, it was pretty scary seeing a scene like this right in your backyard, which is usually a beautiful scene of mountains. But it was incredible sight to see. Not just the fire, but the several firefighters out hiking amongst the flames and the team work of the air support. Big props to all of them!"
- Anika3, CNN iReport producer