A Minnesota storm chaser who found himself inside a burning Los Angeles home during the California wildfires this week described how his faith was “instinct” as he prayed on the ember-filled street while escaping.

Tanner Charles Schaaf, who flew to Los Angeles to spend time with friends during the holidays, said God had told him to extend his trip by a few days. 

“I was praying about it [and] I just felt like I needed to extend it,” Schaaf told Fox News Digital. “The next day, the fires broke out.”

Tanner Charles Schaaf shared photos of the home he ran from with his friend during the California wildfires. (Tanner Charles Schaaf)

His friend responds in the distance, “This tree is going to kill us.”

Tanner Charles Schaaf shared photos of the home he ran from with his friend during the California wildfires. (Tanner Charles Schaaf)

Incorporating faith into everything he does, especially in a situation where he knows lives will be forever changed, is important, Schaaf said.

He remembered talking to an older man who was hunkering down with young nephews, refusing to evacuate.

“He’s like, ‘Oh, we’ll be fine. My house is fireproof’,” Schaaf said. “There are just things like that in the back of my mind where I’m like, ‘Did they actually make it out?’ . . . Taking time to pray is really important. I believe prayer is so powerful, [it] can shift so many things in the world.”

A few years ago, Schaaf said, he asked God to show him His power when he was chasing storms. He said God responded by telling him to start praying when he is in dangerous situations.

Tanner Charles Schaaf shared photos of the home he ran from with his friend during the California wildfires. It burned to the ground during the fire, Schaaf said. (Tanner Charles Schaaf)

“[I started saying], ‘I pray this tornado dissipates right now in Jesus’ name,’ and then I would see tornados dissipate in front of me,” Schaaf said. “You can look online, and you can totally see where it just goes around [me] right when I was praying. So to stop to pray [during the California wildfires], it was instinct.”

While having viral videos is exciting, he said his focus was helping his friend get out of the fire.

“I love documenting the real things that people are going through and what that looks like,” he said. “It just happened that millions of people got to see it. Hopefully, people are looking at that, and they can realize the gravity of the situation and what is really going on. . . . The rise to fame, if you will, is humbling. [I’m] just out here trying to do [my] best, trying to love people well.”