Jay Leno recounts how LA fires made neighbors 'put aside their political beliefs' for 1st time since 9/11

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jay Leno, the former 'Tonight Show' host, was among the many Angelenos stepping up to aid his city amid the devastation caused by LA wildfires.

Speaking with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Leno reflected on the tragedy and the remarkable sense of unity it has inspired, Entertainment Weekly reported.

Jay Leno recalls the 'sense of community' amid the fires

"The last I remember was 9/11," Leno said, drawing a poignant parallel between the “the sense of community" during that national tragedy and the response to the fires.

“For three or four days, everybody put aside their political beliefs and... all that nonsense. And it's happening here today. It’s a shame that’s what it takes.”

Leno, known for his love of cars, brought his passion to the front lines, driving a vintage 1941 American LaFrance fire truck to assist those battling the Palisades Fire, one of California’s most destructive blazes.

But he wasn’t just providing transport - he and his team were cooking hot meals for firefighters and support crews.

“They’re all getting boxed lunches, so we figured, let’s get some hot food,” Leno explained. “We’ve got a big barbecue going. It’s kinda fun.”

The scale of destruction struck Leno deeply.

“It’s 10,000 buildings. If you drove all day, you couldn’t see 10,000 buildings. You get on that hill, and it looks like Hiroshima. Just some horrible thing.”

Reportedly, he was also seen driving to relief sites in his own fire truck to feed the first responders.

Leno reflects on 'insurmountable' problems amid fires and near-fatal accident

Despite the grim circumstances, Leno and Cooper highlighted the stories of resilience emerging from the chaos.

Neighbors, many of whom had never interacted before, were stepping up to help one another. "What you hear more is neighbors helping neighbors," Cooper noted.

Leno, ever the optimist, acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed hope: "The problems will be insurmountable, but we’ll get through it. We always do."

For Leno, the tragedy also carried a personal connection.

In November 2022, he suffered severe burns when gasoline ignited on his face while working on a vintage car with his friend Dave Killackey.

"I'm not a panicky guy, but I knew if I breathed in, I could scorch my lungs," Leno told People in an exclusive December 2022 interview.

Killackey pulled him out from under the car just in time.

He reportedly spent nine days at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital recovering from his injuries and undergoing two skin graft surgeries

Despite the ordeal, his characteristic humor remained intact. “I know how bad it could have been, but I’m okay,” Leno said.

“And I’m sure I’ll continue to do the same stupid things I’ve always done—just maybe a little bit more carefully!”