The Daily Populous Sunday January 12nd, 2025 morning edition
Authored by people.com and submitted by mcfw31

As wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles, people are finding new ways to express their gratitude for people fighting on the front lines.

When a fire crew with the Los Angeles County Fire Department stopped by an In-N-Out Burger location in the area for some warm food this week, patrons paused from eating to thank them for their hard work putting out the deadly blazes, per a TikTok shared by user @chavo1021.

In the clip — which has amassed nearly 3 million views since it was shared on Friday, Jan. 10 — practically the entire restaurant, customers and employees alike, could be seen cheering and clapping loudly for the uniformed group as they entered the establishment.

“Thank you!” a voice yelled as the crew continued to file in, some of them smiling in response to the enthusiastic In-N-Out crowd.

An aerial view of the Los Angeles wildfires on Jan. 8, 2025. Mario Tama/Getty

“Thank for the hard work 🔥🔥🔥,” the caption of the video read, along with several hashtags — including “#hero.”

This sentiment was also echoed in the comments of the video, where users expressed gratitude for the fire crew and acknowledged how wiped out they must be.

"They are tired and exhausted 😭😭,” one person wrote, while another added, “Those meals better be fresh for them hardworking heroes.”

Elsewhere online, California-based lawyer Jennifer Holliday shared a similar experience, posting several photos of a group of firefighters that stopped at an In-N-Out for a bite in a Jan. 9 Instagram post.

Elsewhere online, a California-based lawyer, Jennifer Holliday, shared a similar experience, posting several photos of a group of firefighters that stopped at an In-N-Out for a bite in a Jan. 9 Instagram post.

Alongside a compilation of photos, including a picture of a fire truck parked at the burger joint and a photo of the fire crew enjoying their food, she shared her experience in a heartfelt caption.

“I got to thank a dozen firefighters at @innout — they were wearing clothes and boots covered in soot and dirt, and they ate quickly and took off,” Holliday wrote. “So grateful to them and to the businesses that offer them a meal and a place to breathe and rest.”

The burger chain also thanked L.A. fire crews in a post of its own, and revealed that it has been providing complimentary meals for those on the front lines.

“Thank you to the brave men and women who are working tirelessly and putting their lives on the line for our communities! We appreciate you!” the In-N-Out Instagram account wrote in a Jan. 10 post. “And to those who have lost so much, our hearts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”

And, in another post, the chain shared photos of firefighters and other emergency responders enjoying its burgers and wrote, “Words cannot express our gratitude for the fearless firefighters who continue to risk their lives to save the communities we’ve been part of for so long.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It’s been an honor to provide complimentary meals for firefighters with our cookout trucks and at our locations near the areas greatly affected by the fires,” the caption continued in part. “This is a small way for us to show our support and appreciation for your sacrifices, and we hope it provides a moment of comfort. We can never thank you enough.”

Fanned by severe winds and fed by dry vegetation, the fast-growing L.A. wildfires started on Tuesday, Jan. 7, sending residents of the city scrambling for safety.

Thousands of structures have since been affected by the devastating blazes — already the most destructive firestorm in the city’s history — and there have been at least 11 fatalities so far, according to L.A. County Medical.

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

DrDerpberg on January 12nd, 2025 at 01:53 UTC »

Ok cool but now vote to pay them?

menlindorn on January 12nd, 2025 at 00:42 UTC »

Firefighter definitely has to be the most respected profession there is.

mcfw31 on January 12nd, 2025 at 00:32 UTC »

> “Thank you!” a voice yelled as the crew continued to file in, some of them smiling in response to the enthusiastic In-N-Out crowd.