You may have heard about the terrible Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, which claimed the lives of at least 27 people, destroyed over 12,000 buildings, and forced around 200,000 residents to evacuate.
But amidst this terrible news, there’s also an inspiring story of a hero who helped save many lives.

Before the fire even started, a local weather enthusiast and community volunteer posted a warning on social media, telling people to prepare to evacuate due to the approaching wildfires.
Thanks to this warning, hundreds of people were able to leave their homes before the tragedy hit. Many locals are now calling him a neighborhood hero for alerting them early about the approaching risk of wildfire.
So, who is this hero?
Meet Edgar McGregor, A 24-year-old amateur climatologist and San Jose State University graduate. A climatologist is a scientist who studies climate, analyzes weather trends, and predicts how the climate will change.

He also leads the Altadena Weather and Climate group on Facebook and publishes updates on his WeatherMcGregor Patreon service.
Edgar used his Facebook page to predict the dangerous weather conditions leading to the Eaton Fire. Just two days before the fire, he warned his followers that the fire danger would be extremely high around Eaton Canyon. He advised them to prepare their go-bags, pack their cars for evacuation, and stay vigilant.
On Jan. 6, a day before the major wildfires started, he warned everyone that Southern California would face one of its strongest Santa Ana windstorms, bringing “world-record fire danger.”

When the strong winds hit on January 7, downed power lines sparked the fire. Early that morning, McGregor went live on Facebook with an urgent message: “GET OUT.”
“Don’t wait; pack your car; pack photo albums, medications, birth certificates, social security cards, and anything you can’t live without. Put it in your car. This is imminent. Do not wait for an official evacuation… Get out!” McGregor also posted.
When the Palisades Fire started on January 7, Edgar continued to warn his neighbors not to sleep but to stay awake and be ready to go.

For nearly an hour, his warning was the only one the 2,500 members of his local weather group received as they quickly left their homes.
“I knew that that warning might’ve been a little bit excessive, but as it turns out, a thousand homes are not even a fraction of the loss, the ones that were lost,” Edgar said.

Because of his warning, hundreds were able to evacuate in time.
Here are some examples of messages from residents sharing their gratitude for Edgar McGregor and his efforts during the wildfires.
“Edgar McGregor is an actual American hero. I am so grateful to him for sharing his vast knowledge. My pets and I would have burned along with my home had I not heeded his warnings.” – Tori Silverman.
“I texted a friend after seeing Edgar’s post who didn’t know about the fire or evac. She was able to get her family out before losing her home.” – Elsa Tatom.
“I want to give a shout-out to Edgar McGregor for saving so many lives. Everywhere I go in Pasadena, I run into people who tell me that this 24-year-old guy on the internet told them this was going to happen a week and a half ago and they were ready to go. And they left and they were safe.” – Susan Hopkins.

McGregor responded to the praise by saying, “I haven’t even been able to process that mentally. I didn’t run into a burning building and get third-degree burns trying to save someone’s life. So people are sending me all these comments, and I’m thinking to myself, I just did my job.”
How McGregor Knew About the Fires?
McGregor has been warning people about the risks in Eaton Canyon based on his daily hikes there. He often sees a lot of dead trees, which he knows can fuel a big fire.

Aside from enjoying the trails during his hikes, McGregor also cleans up trash daily and shares videos of his efforts.
“For years, I’ve been telling people about this canyon, it’s been decades since we last had a wildfire, and the fuels are abundant,” he shares. “I see dead trees that have accumulated everywhere. So I knew this was coming. I certainly didn’t think January was the month it would occur, but I hope that I did my job in warning everybody.”

He was paying attention to a storm worsening the strong Santa Ana winds in the area days before the Eaton fires hit. He recalled wildfires from years past, like in 1993 and 2011, that caused considerable damage.
“I knew this was coming. I certainly didn’t think January was the month it would occur, but I hope that I did my job in warning everybody,” he said.
While his house in Altadena survived, many of his neighbors’ homes nearby have been completely destroyed.

McGregor is now sharing regular updates for thousands of Californians as four major fires rage across 62 square miles.
Because of his efforts, McGregor has gained thousands of new followers. He also shared that the immediate threat is mostly over but added there’s still a risk of more windstorms and mudslides once it rains in California.
“I think, for the most part, the immediate threat is over,” he says. “The next couple of windstorms are not going to be all that impressive, especially not compared to what we saw on Tuesday. But it still hasn’t rained. So, in the next couple of weeks, if we get another major windstorm, it could be Hollywood that faces disaster next. Santa Barbara. Any of these foothill towns. And then when it rains, we have the mudslides to get through.”
He warns, “What I’m saying is, this is not over yet.”
How Social Media Helped Save Lives
During the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook helped save lives because officials and residents could share important updates.
As the fires spread, users quickly informed each other about evacuation orders, road closures, and safe zones. This real-time information helped people stay informed, knowing where the fire was moving and which routes were safe.

People were able to post photos and videos that showed the condition of their areas. This raised awareness locally and across the country, leading to more support and assistance from various communities and organizations.
These platforms also helped connect those in need with others willing to help. Many used social media to organize rescue efforts, posting about pets and vulnerable individuals left behind, which allowed neighbors and volunteers to coordinate their searches.