Meet the man who fought off the Los Angeles wildfires with a garden hose

Downed power lines and abandoned cars littered roads as flames swept through Los Angeles, burning more than 40,000 acres, destroying 12,000 buildings and killing at least 24 people.

Despite his wife's pleas to leave, Carr texted her at 12:48 p.m., confirming his intention to stay and fight.

Carr's Pacific Palisades neighborhood was the scene of chaos as 150,000 residents scrambled to evacuate following evacuation orders. The neighborhood suffered devastating damage.

His parents built the house in 1960 and couldn't bear the thought of losing it. As hell tore through the hills and crashed into his home, he remembered all the memories of his parents, all the positive times they shared. He and his wife have lived in the house for decades.

“A lot of what inspired me to save the house was to save it for her,” he told me over the phone. He wanted her to return to the place she loved.

He wasn't going to give it up without a fight. “That’s what sticks out in my mind the most.”

Other articles about Carr's incredible experience stop there, which makes sense given the Hollywood-esque image of a lone man battling the cruelty of nature with the right tools to water a flower bed. is.

But they have overlooked the fact that Carr knew exactly what he was doing and acted decisively with the level-headedness of a Navy SEAL. He was not a bravado and a daredevil. His plan was very strategic. This makes his courage even more impressive.

Kerr spent years troubleshooting various scenarios, asking himself: What would we do if a fire started from that direction? ”

His plan was based on the geography of the area and the movement of the Santa Ana winds.

“So I was analyzing all those factors, and after thinking about it, I thought that protecting my home is what I could do,” he told me.

Carr's wife, Chiaki, a flight attendant, was on her way to Japan's Haneda Airport when the Palisades fire broke out. She left her home in the Palisades early that morning. Just before boarding the plane, she received a text message from Carr. He had heard about forest fires nearby and wanted to check it out.

Minutes later, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for their neighborhood. As the plane took off, she looked out the window and saw smoke rising near her house. “It was very windy,” she said later. “The turbulence was terrible.”

All she thought about was John and home.

Despite her pleas to leave, Carr texted her at 12:48 p.m., confirming that he intended to stay and fight.

A trip to my wife's hometown

As time went on, communication between Carr and his wife became sporadic. By 3 p.m., she received an update from her neighbors. The fire spread throughout Marquez and Bollinger circles, but their home was still standing. She was desperate for news. The uncertainty was unbearable.

Chiaki began making arrangements with Delta Air Lines to hasten her return to Los Angeles. By evening, friends managed to contact John by landline phone. They told her he was safe, but she was still scared. And she still had to serve coffee and drinks to passengers.

She boarded a flight home at Haneda Airport, but was unable to contact John when she landed at Los Angeles International Airport on January 8th.

“I started imagining [the worst] “What happened to him as he was fighting fires all night,” she said. “I thought the whole town was on fire, including the houses.”

She tried to contact him many times. A friend reported John as a missing person.

As we drove back to Pacific Palisades, we found all the roads blocked off with police barricades. Finally, at 2:29 p.m., police officers called to let them know that John was alive and still at home.

Kerr fought the fire alone for 27 hours. Due to lack of sleep, he put out spot fires and even jumped over fences, injuring his ribs in the process.

The fire devastated John Carr's neighborhood. On the south side, entire rows of houses were reduced to ashes. On the north side of Sunset Boulevard, nearly 80% of the homes were destroyed. But Carr wasn't just fighting to protect his home, he was determined to do whatever he could to protect it.

When flames caught fire in a neighbor's palm tree to the east, Carr climbed a wall and hosed down multiple ignitions before they spread. “There was a huge bonfire made of acrylic tiles around the pool.”

When the home's hoses didn't work, Carr kicked through the fence and dragged his own hose to put out the fire. “These fires can smolder underground through roots and soil,” he explained. “You'll have to soak it multiple times to see if the stain is gone.”

Not all attempts were successful. To the southwest, Kerr entered another property to extinguish a growing fire, but the hoses at the scene were useless and his own hose was out of reach. “There was just a little hose in there,” he told me. “A proper hose would have helped.”

Still, Carr's strategy was clear. The idea was to stop small fires before they turned into residential fires. “If you nip these things in the bud, you can save your home,” he said. His quick actions saved multiple homes. “It's simple, but it's important. You just do what you can.”

Mr. Carr was quick to stress that his actions were heroic, but not impulsive.

He believes in being prepared for all emergencies, not just wildfires. “You don’t have to be a prepper,” he said. “Imagine if you find yourself in a situation where you can't go to the market for a couple of weeks. What can you eat? What can you eat? What can you drink?”

However, these important questions get forgotten in the hustle and bustle of our lives.

“People are just busy making a living. They don't always have time to think about preparation.”

His plan gave him the means to act, but his faith and determination carried him through. Looking back on the ordeal, he simply summed it up as follows: I couldn't have done it alone. ”

John's story is a testament to independence and courage. However, the biggest takeaway was not his courage, but the importance of preparation. Wildfires are ferocious, unpredictable and occur quickly, so protecting your home starts long before the flames reach you. Here are some practical self-defense strategies you can use to protect your home, not just from crime, but from incoming disasters.

Preparation starts with the basics. Review your homeowner's insurance policy regularly to make sure it includes coverage for wildfire damage. This is a simple step that will save you a lot of trouble later on. As part of your planning, take photos and videos of your home's interior, focusing on high-value items. Keeping detailed records will make the insurance claims process faster and easier in the event of a disaster.

Every household should have an emergency “go bag”. This bag should include essentials such as a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, cash or cards, extra car keys, copies of important documents, and a charger cord. Remember to pack three days worth of food and water, as well as medication for everyone in your family. These small steps can make a big difference when every moment counts.

The National Fire Protection Association emphasizes that during wildfires, most homes catch fire due to their surrounding environment or structural weaknesses. Addressing these weaknesses can significantly reduce risk. Start at the top: If you don't already have a roof, reroof it with a Class A-rated noncombustible material, such as metal, asphalt shingles, or clay tiles. Your roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home during a wildfire, and roof renovations are one of the best investments you can make.

Also pay attention to eaves and ventilation openings. Short eaves prevent embers from building up, and vents covered with 1/8-inch wire mesh prevent sparks from entering the attic. Additionally, it's important to create defensible space around your home. Keep flammable materials out of the area within 30 feet of your home, known as Zone 1.

Prune trees, remove dead vegetation, and use nonflammable landscaping materials such as gravel and concrete. Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet in height and requires thinning of vegetation and removal of “ladder fuel” that allows fire to climb into the tree canopy.

Simple maintenance tasks like cleaning gutters and fencing foundations can also go a long way. Gutters often collect dead leaves and debris, which can easily ignite during a wildfire. Seal the openings around utility connections with fireproof caulk or mortar to prevent embers from getting inside.

You also need to pay attention to windows and walls. Install multiple tempered glass windows to prevent radiant heat and use fire-resistant siding materials such as stucco or fiber cement. Adding external sprinklers or water tanks to your property is also a proactive step. And don't forget. Every inch of your property is important. Make sure hoses reach all areas and consider installing a rain barrel or pool for a ready water supply.

Landscape choices can also make a difference. Fire-resistant plants can act as a barrier against slow flames if you water them regularly. However, plants left unattended can dry out and become fuel for a fire. Choosing the right plants and keeping them hydrated can protect your home in amazing ways.

When a wildfire occurs, a quick and orderly evacuation is often the best defense. Experts recommend evacuating early, even before evacuation orders are issued. Fires are unpredictable, and if you wait too long, you could find yourself stuck in traffic or, worse, in the path of a fire.

To prepare for a disaster, use tools like FEMA's mobile app that provides real-time alerts. NOAA Weather Radio is also a valuable source of information, providing ongoing updates on fire conditions and evacuation notices. Identify multiple evacuation routes from your home and set up designated meeting points where your family can regroup if they become separated.

If time allows, create a buffer by soaking the property. Connect the hose, fill the bathtub or trash can, and water the area. The USDA also recommends turning off gas and power when it is safe to do so. Closing all doors, windows, and vents will prevent embers from entering and protect the interior of your home.