As the Palisades Fire tore through Marquez Knolls, Robert Trinkeller refused to evacuate, instead choosing to fight the flames and protect his home—along with those of his neighbors. Armed with a fire hose, buckets of water, and a racing car fire suit, he battled the blaze, saving several houses and even helping to rescue an abandoned elderly man.
A One-Man Firefighting Effort
Trinkeller, who lives off the grid, had always planned to stay behind in case of a wildfire.
“I have a fire hose with 160 PSI, I have a pool, and I drive race cars as a hobby, so I have a fire suit. I was prepared,” he explained.
While most of his neighbors evacuated, Trinkeller stayed, using his own fire hose to fight the flames. However, when hydrants ran dry, he resorted to using buckets of water from his pool to keep the fire away from his house.
Gratitude from Neighbors, Including Actor James Woods
His bravery didn’t go unnoticed. Neighbors, including actor James Woods, were grateful for his efforts.
“I just can’t even imagine what it would have been like if he hadn’t stayed—even though we all told him to leave,” said his next-door neighbor, Paulretta Chandler.
Not only did Trinkeller save homes, but he also provided updates to evacuated residents by documenting the fire’s progress on his cellphone.
Rescuing an Elderly Man Left Behind
Trinkeller’s heroism extended beyond protecting homes. At one point, James Woods asked him to check on an elderly neighbor who had been left behind.
“The caregiver left. We don’t know if authorities told her to, but he was abandoned,” Trinkeller said.
When he arrived, he saw a fire in the man’s backyard and spotted him inside, bedridden and suffering from Alzheimer’s. Trinkeller flagged down a firefighter, ensuring the man was rescued in time.
An Unforgettable Experience
Though the experience has been mentally exhausting, Trinkeller says knowing he saved a life and received the gratitude of his community has helped him move forward.
“Our community is amazing. I’ve always known a lot of my neighbors, and now I know 10 more.”
His courage and quick thinking made all the difference in one of California’s most destructive wildfires.
