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When wildfires swept through the Pacific Palisades, reducing homes to ash and devastating entire neighborhoods, one U.S. Army veteran’s quick thinking and preparedness made all the difference.
In an interview with NBC Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades resident Jim Cragg explains how putting simple lawn sprinklers on his roof and the grass turned out to be the key to saving his home—and his neighbors’ homes, too.
Against the odds, his house remained standing while others in the area were lost in the devastating Palisades fire. This first was the first of the string of deadly Los Angeles wildfires started during a Santa Ana windstorm on Tuesday January 7, 2025. As of this writing, authorities say this fire was responsible for 5 deaths. It’s scorched 23,713 acres, destroyed at least 604 structures, displaced thousands of residents, and remains only 11% contained. Many lost it all in the devastating blaze. Firefighters and responding agencies are still working to fully contain the wildfire, which still threatens over 12,000 structures. A big part of that battle has happened via air support.
So how did Cragg pull it off? The answer is surprisingly simple: lawn sprinklers.
“After the last brush fires got close to us a couple of years ago, I decided to take some precautions,” he explained. “I bought these cheap sprinklers—the kind that wave back and forth—and some hoses. I kept them ready to go. When the fire broke out, I popped them up on my roof, turned them on, and sprayed down a fire retardant on the side of my house before getting my family out.”
The veteran described the harrowing moments of his evacuation. “I got trapped by the flames going down Sunset. It was… it was difficult. Like Afghanistan-type difficult,” he said, referencing his time in the military.
Despite the danger, his sprinklers kept working. “The flames came down the hill, and you could see where the sprinklers arched in the backyard. The fire came right up to that water line and stopped,” he said.
Here’s the interview, which is going viral on Instagram:
Thanks to his efforts, not only was his home spared, but so were the houses of about 14 of his neighbors downhill. Cragg is a hero for his quick thinking with a garden hose and those sprinklers.
“You can see where the flames went up the hill and along Lachman—it’s devastating,” he continued. “All my neighbors across the top lost their homes.”
You have to give him kudos for his preparation, quick thinking, and ingenuity in the face of disaster. It’s wild how effective such a simple sprinkler was at saving his property. I don’t know what his actual set up was, but I assume it was as simple as this one on Amazon for $15.99:
Simple, cost-effective measures like roof sprinklers, combined with his experience as a veteran, saved his home and those of his neighbors.
The story quickly gained traction online, with social media buzzing about the heroism and ingenuity displayed by the veteran. Many highlighted his quick thinking and the broader implications of his actions:
Inkmonstarr, a former student of the veteran, shared on Instagram, “That’s Coach Cragg! He was my football coach my sophomore year of high school. He told me to stay focused! I fell in love with football and it kept me off the street!! He has tremendous knowledge!!!! True hero!!!!”
Another commenter on Insatgram, Theycallmeyoda, praised his independence: “This man did not count on his government and survived.”
Troopsdirect chimed in with personal insight: “That’s Jim Cragg. Great guy. Owns a company that produces gear for the military and employs a bunch of vets.”
As dr.terridactyl says, “A 30-year army veteran says it was like Afghanistan… Believe him.”
Others pointed out the wisdom in his actions. Reign.maker wrote, “He said something very vital that many may have missed. This happened in the past so he created a cheap solution in hopes that it would help in the future. It did… an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”
The emotional toll wasn’t lost on Cali.doja: “You can hear the pain in his voice. Especially when he says all his neighbors who lost their houses. Like survivor’s guilt. My prayers go out to all those affected.”
The praise continued, with Rodneyboisvert declaring, “Bro saved 14 houses including his. This man is a HERO!!” and Pierrecat2014 noting, “I studied Architecture & I believe every home should be equipped with sprinkler systems on the roof—you proved it right! ”
One comment from Tha_notorious_p.a.t_rn captured the community spirit his actions inspired: “Those people in those 14 homes better buy you beer and pizza for life.”
Amen to that.