A Teamster’s Journey to Saving Lives Amid the Flames
As wildfires ravaged the Los Angeles area in early 2025, an unexpected hero emerged from the smoke and chaos. Brady Heiser is a native of Crown Point, Indiana. He swapped his usual Hollywood hauling gigs for a mission. This mission redefined courage and compassion. Heiser’s story includes saving horses. It also involves coaxing a rebellious potbelly pig named Fancy Pants into a trailer. His story is nothing short of extraordinary.
Fires erupted, and Heiser took to social media with a simple plea. He asked anyone with a horse trailer to join him in saving animals. Equipped with his truck, determination, and a lot of heart, he answered the call to action. His first mission led him to the Eaton fire. He navigated treacherous conditions there. A burning tree blocked his path.
“People’s homes are just gone, you know, and I’m watching it happen. I can feel the heat through my window,” Heiser recalled. “There was a tree in front of me on fire, laying in the street. I thought, ‘Man, I don’t know what to do,’ so I put it in four-wheel drive and drove over it. Now my truck needs about 4,000 repairs, but I made it.”
Once he arrived, Heiser joined a convoy of rescuers, evacuating horses and other animals to safety. Over a grueling 10-hour stretch, he shuttled animals back and forth, sometimes returning home as late as 4 a.m.
Despite never having ridden a horse in his life, Heiser quickly became an expert in animal rescues. His efforts extended beyond horses to include llamas, emus, peacocks, tortoises, and even a 175-pound potbelly pig named Fancy Pants. The pig’s rescue was a particularly memorable moment.
“I’ve never met anybody named Fancy Pants that can fight like this pig did,” Heiser said. “She was screaming and hollering, and it took me, my buddy Josh, and the homeowner to drag her 200 feet to the driveway. But we got her out and safe.”
The Kenneth fire presented another massive challenge. Over 75 horses, donkeys, and exotic birds needed evacuation. Heiser found himself at the center of an intricate and risky operation. Yet, he approached each call with unyielding resolve, his GMC truck becoming both a lifeline and a warhorse.
For Heiser, the experience was humbling. “I could sit there and cook and become a liability, or I can see what this GMC’s got and just put it to the floor and see what happens,” he said. “It was scary, but it was worth it.”
Heiser’s efforts to save animals have been widely appreciated. He’s quick to shift the spotlight to the families devastated by the fires. He emphasized the need for donations to help people rebuild their lives.
“The animals are pretty well taken care of for now, but it’s the people that need the help,” Heiser explained. “Basic things like toiletries, socks, underwear, T-shirts, and even books for the kids to give them some sense of normalcy. That’s what’s really needed right now.”
Brady Heiser’s story serves as a powerful reminder that heroes come in all forms. Whether he is navigating burning streets or hauling a stubborn pig, his actions show the incredible impact. One person can make a difference in the face of disaster. Heiser’s journey from Hollywood teamster to wildfire rescuer has shown him that bravery isn’t about preparation. It’s about showing up when it matters most.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/XUOzf9m-KkQ?si=q0SK5oRJ3Eok3QCu
- https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/man-indiana-hauls-animals-safety-los-angeles-wildfires/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://readloud.net/
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