Indiana native helps save animals amid California wildfires
CROWN POINT, Ind. - Crown Point native Brady Heiser is trading his Hollywood film set job for the frontlines of California wildfires, rescuing animals and helping devastated communities rebuild.
Wildfire Recovery, Rescue Efforts
What we know:
Heiser, who typically hauls movie trailers, has turned his focus to rescuing livestock from the California wildfires.
He has saved over 700 animals so far, braving flames to bring them to safety.
"These animals can feed off your energy and they're already panicked. They're already wondering why they're being moved and why people are running around them so crazy. They're breathing all the smoke and you have to stay calm for the animals," said Heiser.
Heiser and the 999 Rescue Caravan work tirelessly, often driving through the night to rescue animals and deliver supplies.
"We had one mare that was really badly burnt. She was in a barn, I believe, of 26, and only six survived," said Heiser. "We immediately got her into a like, a veterinary hospital and started getting her treatment… She's got a long road ahead of her, but she's going to survive."
Another notable rescue involved a pot-bellied pig named Fancypants.
"We had to get a rope around her upper torso and one around the back. And she screamed and hollered so much for the whole 200 feet we had to take her down the driveway to my trailer that the neighbors, the National Guard and the cops all had to come see what was going on. It was, yeah, it was a fight," he said.
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Heiser said he remains committed.
"I'm driving through the neighborhood and it's, it's all very black and white, it's all monochromatic because there's ash all over the cars that are still there and still standing. There's piles of ash where the homes used to be. There's no color. None. And I wanted so bad. I'm sorry, and so bad to hit that light switch and bring everything back to life," said Heiser. "You don't see somebody taking the trash. You'll see somebody coming home from work, some kids playing in the front yard. You know, I just want to see a porch light on. Show me a porch light to show me that there's life there. But there wasn't and here I am tromping through. You know, we have a convoy of incredible people going to save these animals. But I get to go home and these people have lost everything. These people have lost their homes, their family members, all their children's memories. And you know, it's, it's put a lot into perspective," Heiser said.
Heiser and his team work 12 to 14-hour days, witnessing both the devastation and the resilience of communities coming together to rebuild.