Of Course Jay Leno Drove a Vintage Fire Truck to Deliver Help to L.A. Wildfire Victims

You’re a first responder battling the Los Angeles fires and off in the distance, you see a vintage 1941 American LaFrance fire truck heading your way. What can you do but nudge your buddy and shrug, “Here comes Leno”?

Good job, Jay Leno, for delivering a vintage (of course) vehicle’s worth of food to disaster victims in the Pacific Palisades. “We got a big barbecue going,” Leno told CNN’s Anderson Cooper, standing in front of a classic candy-apple red beauty with a 256 horsepower engine under the hood and a unique modification in the back. The fire truck had previously been featured on an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.

“They were only getting box lunches,” Leno told Cooper about his mission to deliver hot meals to victims and volunteers. Leno and crew cooked up the grub for workers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, with plans to continue delivering food to other first responders throughout the week. 

Long-time Southern California resident Leno is still trying to wrap his brain around the damage so far. “Ten thousand buildings,” he boggled. “You get on that hill and you look for miles and there’s nothing.”

While others complain about how the disaster has polarized politicians and inspired looting, Leno only sees community. “Neighbors meeting neighbors they’ve never met before, people all pitching in.” From what he can see, everyone is putting down their political beliefs to come together. “We’ll get through it. We always do.”  

It’s easy to goof on Leno for his massive collection of vintage cars, but at least he’s putting them to good use. He’s also rolling up his sleeves and serving up meals, not bad for a 74-year-old comic who’s had personal run-ins with fire over the years. 

And who can argue with this bit of Leno wisdom: “It’s good to have your own fire truck when you live in L.A.”