The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The mother of a firefighter who was injured during the Harris Fire last week says her family appreciates the support it has received from the community and others.

Consuelo Pikop on Thursday thanked residents and the staff at the University of California, San Diego, for helping her son, Andrew, recover from moderate burns he received while responding to the fire near the U.S.-Mexican border. She said her family was grateful for the "outpouring of support."

Pikop was among four firefighters who were overcome by a wall of flames as they tried to rescue a man and his son stranded in a hilltop home.

Pikop was initially reported missing, but was found by another fire company and taken to a hospital. He had survived by deploying an emergency shelter and hiding behind boulders.