I am the general manager of a winery in Calistoga and live in Marin County. I am writing to you with a full heart after a member of your community came to my rescue Wednesday night – you have a Hidden Valley hero in your midst.

Over a year ago my then-16 year old's car caught fire whilst she was driving it – within seconds of smelling burning my husband who was thankfully with her at the time made her pull over immediately. Within seconds the car was alight and was completely destroyed (the photos were awful and life lessons learned).

With this in mind – as well as the horrific wildfires of October 2017 – I was driving home Wednesday night on Petrified Forest Road in my husband’s rather old Mustang and smelt burning. I opened the windows and couldn't smell anything outside – I knew I was just about to lose my phone signal as I headed over the mountain so pulled over. My biggest fear is to start a wildfire on a mountain that was so devastated by last year’s fires and have no cell coverage to call for help.

It was so scary, the lorries and cars zooming past me on the narrow road. I tried to open the hood and just couldn't. I was stuck there on the side of the road for what seemed like an eternity.

Suddenly a white Mustang zoomed up and a girl jumped out and popped the hood in under 30 seconds (I had the humility to blush at my inadequacy to get the hood open). She took that car apart to ensure nothing was burning – she was quite simply amazing.

Turns out I have an angel: Jacqueline, a Mustang lover and lady with a heart of gold was on her way home from Santa Rosa to Hidden Valley Lake and spotted me struggling in a precarious part of the mountain, so she turned around and come back to help. I have no doubt that she was Heaven-sent.

It filled my heart that, after a day at work and children to get home to, she turned around on that mountain and came back to help. Cal Fire stopped to assist but thankfully no further assistance was needed.

I had to share this story with you because she really deserves recognition for her outstanding community spirit. You have a hidden hero in Hidden Valley Lake.

I have invited Jacqueline to the winery for a VIP visit and will give her a gift as a thank you her for being my Hidden Valley Lake hero.

Emma Blatcher lives in Marin County, Calif.