A pair of helicopter pilots have been commended for their bravery, after rescuing three people and two dogs who were stranded during the California wildfires.

David Nordquist and Joel Smith were conducting a water drop, when they received a request to conduct a rescue at Castro Peak, near Malibu on 9 November.

As thick smoke surrounded the hillside, causing low visibility, one of the Air Operations pilots said: “This isn’t looking good.”

But they continued to navigate around the mountain top, in an effort to land safely, which they eventually did.

Once they managed to touch down they noted that was "critical”,as Mr Nordquist maintained control of the helicopter and Smith made his way over to the people, who eventually boarded the aircraft.

The helicopter then pulled up into the air and the pilots returned to the Chatsworth neighbourhood of Los Angeles, so the helicopter could refuel.