The Southern California Wildfires Couldn’t Kill This Toyota Tacoma

The wildfires that are currently choking the Los Angeles area have caused unimaginable destruction and loss of life. The Eaton Fire, in particular, has become one of the deadliest blazes in California history, with a death toll that sits at 11 and counting. It has also claimed more than 7,000 structures in the northern LA suburbs of Pasadena and Altadena, among them Brandon and Jillienne Sanders’ home. Yet sitting in the midst of the destruction was their trusty 2013 Toyota Tacoma that was parked in front of the house, scorched a bit by the flames but nonetheless in almost perfect running condition.

No Worse For The Wear

“It’s an absolute miracle it survived,” Brandon Sanders told CarBuzz. “The damage to the truck appears to be 100 percent cosmetic. The front grille and bumper cover are badly melted, as are the side molding and one of the rear tail lights.

A quick inspection under the hood revealed no obvious mechanical damage, with everything from the radiator back looking in excellent condition. However, since the keys to the truck were lost in the blaze, along with almost everything else the family owned, Sanders wasn’t able to verify if the truck would run. Armed with only the vehicle identification number, he went to have a key made at Envision Toyota in nearby West Covina, California. Once dealer employees learned why he was there, they made a new set of keys free of charge.

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There’s not much better testament to this Tacoma’s durability. “I drove it out of the impacted area.” he said. “The windows were extremely dirty, but after half a bottle of glass cleaner and nearly two rolls of paper towels, they are good as new. We are now driving the truck as normal to help us get our lives back together.”

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“What has been most impressive about all of this is the huge outpouring of support from our friends, family, employers, companies, and even people we don’t know,” Sanders said. “Everyone’s natural instinct is to help, and that makes me really happy to be a part of all of these communities. We are very fortunate to be able to cover our basic needs, while others are not. I think donations of necessities are great, especially items that cost a little more, like shoes and jackets.”

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Sanders recommended that people consider supporting the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and Pasadena Humane Society, as those organizations are providing much of the support to people affected by the Eaton Fire. Still, he cautioned onlookers to stay out of the way of the professionals. In the days immediately following the destruction, there were traffic jams at some of the aid distribution points that included good Samaritans who, despite their best intentions, may have impeded first responders, utilities personnel, and those actually in need of assistance.

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“I would say that you don’t have to be physically close to help,” Brandon said. “There are local companies helping by offering free delivery of goods and supplies to displaced families. … These companies now have me as both a customer and an advocate for life.”

Tonka-Tough Tacoma

As for his pickup, Sanders plans on keeping it for life. It currently has just 79,000 miles on the odometer, and he knows from experience that Tacomas have a lot more life in them than that – his first truck was a 1998 model that had more than 300,000 miles on it by the time he sold it. Since he needs his 2013 pickup to get him and his family around, he doesn’t plan on repairing the cosmetic damage right away. But once life becomes a bit more stable, he’ll consider sprucing up the Tacoma. He might keep the melted grille as-is, though. “Gotta keep that battle-hardened look,” Sanders said.