L.A. Fire Aftermath from my Small Plane - I Need Your Help

[@James_Snell]

This video brought me back to tears. My wife and I live in Altadena and we were one of the 1000s of families who lost our home and everything we owned. I am a student pilot out of WHP and lost my log book, A20s and all of my study materials. We are heart broken but wouldn’t want to live anywhere else - we will rebuild… My heart goes out to your friend Paul. Thank you for a tasteful video.

[@cloudripper82]

So sorry for your lost.

[@captmyq]

That's the spirit, my friend. Keep it up, and may God be with you.

[@erichildebrandt9490]

My cousin lives there too and lost all but a suitcase each. Strangely, this is just the beginning of a 1-2year journey.

[@James_Snell]

@@erichildebrandt9490 sorry for your cousin. This is a terrible and I think it’s going to take much longer than 1-2 years I would say 3+ years minimum

[@jeffhunt3146]

Very powerful video !!!! I am a fire chief of a small department in Arizona and our type 3 wildland engine was there from the beginning. They are now over 14 days on the assignment and were extended to 21 days. Having been on other fires very similar to this myself, my heart goes out to the victims and any others affected

[@michaelrodgers9419]

Thank you for sharing this video, for all you do for the GA community and for showing the true meaning of friendship.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

[@andymustangflyer1528]

LA is my home and I am so heart broken to see this. It's time for "angels" of Los Angels to get busy. Thank you for this video and all the best for people who are affected and those who help them!

[@jameshcox]

So sorry your friend lost his home. Thanks for making this, and donation made.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you so much. 🙏

[@javisonic]

Hey @socalflyingmonkey I saw you overflying my home and took a video too. I was rummaging through what used to be my wife and I home for anything that survived. We lost our home to the Eaton fire in Altadena as we were in the hospital delivering our first born. Being new parents and having all our possessions go up in a blaze has for sure made it more challenging. Thankfully we are safe and sound and have family that took us in with open arms. I am a new CFI-I so I hope to get a job soon to get my little family back on our feet asap. We also have a go fund me set up for Javi and Liz.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

I'm so sorry you are going through that. It must have been a crazy mix of intense emotions with those 2 enormous life events happening at the same time. Can you link your GoFundMe here?

[@javisonic]

I think KZbin keeps removing the link, a simple search on google fund me for “Javi and Liz” will find it first, the photo is my wife and I post delivery.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

www.gofundme.com/f/relief-fund-for-javi-and-liz-after-eaton-fire?qid=39a14e7721aa5a3e07561f528bf17958. Is this the one? If so I'll leave the link here so anyone can donate.

[@javisonic]

@@SoCalFlyingMonkeythat’s the one! Thank you 🙏🤍

[@ehindur91]

It breaks my heart seeing this. I’m from Norway and had the joy of visiting LA with my family last June. We had a great time, so seeing all this devastation affecting so many of you living in LA is heartbreaking. Wishing you all the best! Stay safe with your friends and family.

[@ForFunFlyer]

I'm watching this after I donated to the GoFundMe, which makes me even more convinced I did the right thing to help out. Thank you Eric, for sharing the story. I hope more help is coming your friend's way... -Jolmer

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thanks for the support Jolmer!

[@S13Teddy]

Just tragic. My heart goes out to Paul and all of those affected by this disaster.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thanks for all your help with this video Teddy.

[@da40fan27]

Thanks for this. Donation done. They will be included in my prayers.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

[@monagranat1280]

I used to live in the palisades and this is just heartbreaking.

[@anto687]

Glad to see you and your family are ok. I don't know many people based in LA so you were one of the first people I thought of that might be affected. Glad you were passed by and your family were kept safe. Glad to also see your plane was ok too, less important but still a huge part of you!

[@flyingmusician]

So unreal. I’m flying to LAX tomorrow (via commercial airline). Thanks for sharing.

[@chuckmartin5773]

It is unbelievable there is that much devastation! Prayers for all of you!

[@gregmckenna3858]

My sister lost her house and her life in Alta Dena, the fires were no joke.😪

[@TylerR909]

We lost our family home in Altadena. 3 generations lived in that house. I am living through it and I still can't wrap my head around it. All of my mom's logbooks, all my childhood photos, memorabilia from my grandfather's 40 year career at Northrop… All two weeks after he passed away. It's surreal.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

That's horrible and traumatic. I'm so sorry to hear that. It must be incredibly difficult.

[@00000a0009]

Such a destruction! I just hope that California will use this chance to rewrite regulations on building standards and urban zones! And maybe add a proper metro system to give a boost to the affected areas

[@RexFeral55]

So sorry for you folks. Over the past few years we've lost about 3 or 4 small communities. Jasper is one you might know but not anything like this.

[@CobusDerrenberg]

😓😞 SO SORRY 😓 GREAT WORK here ! 🤗💙✨

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@AnotherWayFilms]

I'm on Hangar row Charlie, right across from you, by the looks of it. And lost my home in Altadena. And met Paul at one of the many fire-family services events last week. Small world indeed...

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Oh wow I am so sorry. If you ever see my hangar open come stop by.

[@davewilliams639]

Well done and a donation on the way

[@Eric-oh2uk]

Pilot 2 Pilot - wilco the donation

[@franciscovington8244]

I lived in So Cal for 50 years. Started flying out of Bracket field in the 70’s. Prior to leaving, my base was KTOA. These So Cal fires hit home in a lot of ways. This is so sad in many ways.

[@AV8OR51]

So sad to see 😢

[@VillaMotoAviation]

As a fellow SoCal pilot, my heart breaks for everyone that lost their homes. What a tragedy.

[@piloto_loco]

trees still stand, how cool is that!! hard to see PCH losing its characteristic look, loved to drive it, definetly my faviourite LA spot. people in southwest florida must have felt the same, all gone there after the hurricanes. people started to actually leave the state. i feel sorry for those superwealthy people up on the palisade hills, losing their paradise mansions, pools and tennis courts, luckily most of them own other estates, so they should be safe. these fires were actually expected to come, next coming will be the big quake, maybe it would be smart to move further up? Seattle or Denver are a lot safer. i hope you don't have to sell your plane and professional camera equipment now, despite your friend will certainly appreciate that contribution. keep us updated!

[@williambarry8015]

After the cleanup its going to be small town living in those areas for years to come.

[@bmac8130]

Even if your house survived you are now tasked with getting anything of value out and into storage and hoping looter don’t destroy what’s left.

[@TheLincolnshireFlyer]

Thoughts are with everyone

[@billfly2186]

Just horrible. Worse that the worst hurricane. What per cent of these destroyed homes are insured?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

I don’t know that statistic. Even with insurance the companies seem to be saying a home costs half of what the reality is.

[@therasleys8268]

👊🏽❤️

[@paraglidingSafety]

Was Pauk s house insured?

[@Brian-rj5rl]

Building costs in most cases are double what insurance coverage is in socal. Going to be lucky to rebuild in less than 5 years

[@RV7FlyPer]

I am just trying to understand the differences between US and other countries (like Denmark where I'm from) - but for a house here we have full insurance (mandatory) for the house and full insurance (optional) on everything inside the house - does Americans not have house and household insurances to cover for this ? Not that I don't think it's a great idea with a go-fund-me - just trying to understand the differences.

[@James_Snell]

In the US you are required by the bank to at least have coverage for the mortgage/loan on the home, but if you have no loan (paid off) you don’t have to have insurance. Also, many insurance companies have dropped CA residents because of fire zones etc and just the total cost to replace homes in these areas. Homes in the Palisades are $3 million - $100 million + and in Altadena homes are $1 million to $5 million plus. These were many people that grew up in these homes and are elderly and don’t have enough money for insurance so they are the ones I feel so bad for because they now have nothing.

[@mickjones2871]

Could this be for a land grab like Hawaii?

[@tomedgar4375]

I grew up in LA and lived there into my 50s. These winds are not new. The downed trees from these wind events were a great source of firewood for me. The difference is all the homeless living in the bush with cooking and warming fires and the lack of brush clearing that used to take place. It breaks my heart for those who have lost it all. I’m disgusted that leadership won’t be held responsible.

[@DanFrederiksen]

Almost like what USA did to gaza. Did you object to that?

[@khalidabdulghani]

Exactly!

[@WiseGuy10]

Rows of Homes 🏡 Burned 🔥 Rows of Trees 🌲 NOT Burned 🔥 Hmmmm…🤔

[@rogue8853]

The rich are fine, the middle class are screwed lol

[@scottmetts4211]

Proverbs 3:5-6. Your safety comes from Jesus if you choose to obey Him. It’s not from money, a career, or government. Look up for your redemption draws near.

[@michaelrabie1833]

Do. Not. Build. Wooden. Structures. Simple.

Are you taught to put the microphone in your mouth during pilot training?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

yes it is in the ACS standards and in the regulations FAR 91.228.

[@maxnex7676]

This is the sad consequences of voting for an incompetent and corrupt administration of California.

[@acollier]

Are your R or D! Yes it does matter if I help you out

[@Jeffpower-]

I’m sorry to hear about the poor choices of representatives you have there. On the bright side, at least there’s DEI and a diverse group of firefighters who undoubtedly made a difference during the fire that was raging through the city.

[@jeffreyconner6087]

Although I agree. It's not the time my man. As a wildland FF, it makes my blood boil to see the bad policies. But not the time.

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Did you watch this video? If you did and THAT’S your comment , I hope that you find some way to find happiness and connect with people in a meaningful way in your life. I hope you are ok.

[@jeffreyconner6087]

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey He's making us Jeff's look bad.

[@neilsingh5311]

@@jeffreyconner6087 you’re a wildlands firefighter and believe that “diversity“ caused the fires? Do you think that Puff the Magic Dragon played a role too? Trump plays you guys like a fiddle. Amazing.

[@keim3548]

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey Now is the time for people to get off the sidelines. If you support more of the nonsense of the last few decades, say nothing.

[@timteevin4517]

You voted for it. It's your own fault.

[@DanielStilling]

how can you be so heartless in a moment of crisis like this? Have you no empathy?

[@Brian-rj5rl]

It's the filth in big cities (LA, San Fran and Sac) that voted for this garbage policy and politicians

[@jimroberds4933]

@@DanielStilling some times the truth hurts

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

1. You have no idea of my voting record. 2. I get that it is easier to try to divide yourself and separate yourself from this or any disaster by assigning blame like this. It temporarily makes the world an easier place to live in if you excuse yourself from empathy and compassion in times of crisis. You can go along with your day without feeling the bad feelings. But eventually, your day of need will come and I hope that others will not do unto you as you have done to them. I hope for a better version of humanity than how you come across here. My guess is that your callous words are the result of some kind of pain you have gone through or are going through and I sincerely hope that at some point in the future you find connection and peace with whatever that pain is. Because empathy and compassion in the end feel so much better even though in the short term it means feeling bad for someone and realizing the world is a difficult place and not so black and white. I do believe you will get back what you put out in the world which makes me sad for people like you who seem to lack basic human compassion and decency.

[@khalidabdulghani]

Although these wildfires were devastating, watching Gaza being carpet-bombed for the past 15 months with the intent of genocide is despicable. Do you feel the same for Palestinians who lost their homes and families in the same way you feel sorrow and heartbroken for those affected by the LA wildfires?

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

This video is about our local situation and my friend. It's not really the place for discussing what youre talking about. I can see you are frustrated that issue isn't getting the attention it deserves. But I don't think a misplaced or mistimed comment on an aviation youtube channel does anything for advancing your goals and may actually impede them.

[@waynemenzi4288]

If only your Governor did his job, none of this would have happened!

[@DerekJohnson-us7vy]

No governor stops 50-70 MPH winds blowing fire. More ignorant MAGA bullshit for knuckle-dragging FAUX News viewers. Have some compassion for the people (R, D, and I) who lost their homes, asshole.

[@spiderspencer7334]

Some would say it's karma....who knows ?

[@jeffreyconner6087]

Not the time homie.

[@martinbrookesmusic]

Some would say it isn’t 🤷‍♂️

[@rogue8853]

A certain prez did say they should clean up forrest there lol

[@jeffreyconner6087]

@@rogue8853 As a wildland firefighter, that is correct. Vegetation management would really have helped reduce the damage.

[@patrickmundy1966]

So sad but don't forget what Hurricane Helene has done which was much worse! This comment keeps getting deleted but I'll keep posting it!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXbLg6iLosysfsk&ab_channel=NickJohnson

[@df0813]

It keeps getting deleted because it's IRRELEVANT. A guy can't make a video without the "one-uppers" coming out of the woodwork and talking about things that are worse or injecting their personal beliefs (no matter now misguided they are).

[@SoCalFlyingMonkey]

Just FYI I haven’t been deleting your comment. KZbin has probably filtered it because it contains keywords not relevant to the topic and includes a link. Yes that was a tragedy as well but this video is not about that. It’s about my town and my friend and my personal connection to these things. According to commenters I should have made a video about Helene, Gaza, and Democrats and Republican policies about any or all of these things. People are wild y’all.

[@marcoomau]

Ask israel, they have money, they can help you.