Californian Reyes, known for his bravery during the Cedar Fire of 2003, volunteers as a mentor for young burn survivors, and spokesperson for United Way and the Burn Institute.[3][4]
Cedar Fire survivor
Heroism during 2003 wildfire
A resident of San Diego County, California, Reyes became known for his role in the Cedar Fire of 2003. During the fire, he helped others get to safety first, before he was trapped by the fire. Reyes soaked himself in the shower, and ran more than a mile through the fire. He sustained burns over approximately 70 percent of his body, and lost one ear and part of a finger.[5][6]
Reyes has had numerous surgeries and uses cannabis salve to aid healing of his skin. According to Reyes, vaporized marijuana was more effective than other drugs prescribed for pain while he was hospitalized.[7][8]
Early activism
Rudy Reyes in San Diego, California, 2009
After the Witch Creek wildfire burned San Diego County again four years later in 2007, Reyes became critical of his representative on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Dianne Jacob, for her vote to spend the county's resources to file a lawsuit against California's medical marijuana law, Proposition 215, which was passed by voters in 1996, rather than using the public's money to build a hospital and for fire prevention.[9][10][11]
Reyes ran against Jacob and lost, but Reyes received more than 20,000 votes, about 22 percent, in the June 3, 2008, election.[12]
2010s career
How Weed Won the West film appearance
While making the cannabis documentary How Weed Won the West, in 2010, Reyes worked with producer and director Kevin Booth, and was featured portraying himself in the film.[13]
2010—2012 candidacies
Reyes ran for Santee, California, City Council in 2010,[14] San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2012,[15] and for Santee Mayor, against 12-year incumbent Randy Voepel, in 2012.[16]
Quail Brush power plant critic
In 2012, archeologist Reyes testified against the Quail Brush power plant proposed in San Diego, near Santee, which was opposed by the Santee City Council.[17]
2013 MasterChef contestant
Reyes appeared as a contestant in the reality television competition, MasterChef, on the premiere episode of the show's fourth season.[2]
2016 San Diego County Board of Supervisors candidate
Reyes ran for San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 2, in 2016 and lost.[18] The only Democratic candidate to face Republican incumbent Jacob, Reyes campaigned for increased fire protections and to make medical marijuana more accessible.[19] In the June 7 primary, Reyes received more than 38,000 votes, almost 27 percent.
2018 Santee City Council candidate
In 2018, Reyes ran unsuccessfully for District 2 Santee City Council.[20] He was endorsed by the San Diego Democratic Party.[21] Reyes received 1,510 votes, more than 31 percent, in the November 6 general election.[22]
Santee, California, City Council in 2008, 2010, and 2018
Santee Mayor, in 2012
Television and film
Rudy Reyes, who had a role as himself in the 2010 documentary film How Weed Won the West, was a contestant in the television competition, MasterChef, on the first episode in Season 4 of the American reality show, in 2013.[2][13]
^Spagat, Elliot (January 10, 2004). "After October wildfires, two survivors begin long recovery". Arizona Daily Sun. Rudy Reyes — burned over 65 percent of his body — can barely move his arms and legs and an operation last week to graft skin from his stomach to his right hand increased his use of painkillers. The 26-year-old barely escaped the blaze, forced to run to safety after his car wouldn't start. The rest of his family was unharmed. ... Reyes, a weightlifting buff, also has a harrowing tale and vivid memories of what happened ... "He told me to go and said he'd follow. He was more worried about me and my mom getting out in time than he was about himself."
^Davis, Kelly (April 23, 2007). "Burn Victim Fights to Get Medical Marijuana in San Diego". Cannabis Culture. Hero because during the 2003 Cedar fire, the then-26-year-old made sure his family got out of their Wildcat Canyon home before he tried to leave. Unable to start his car, Reyes sprinted through a wall of flames and came out burned over more than 65 percent of his body. He lost most of his left ear and part of a finger. ... Despite it all, Reyes is charismatic and thoroughly likeable guy driven to make the most of his life. Problem is, he needs marijuana to do that. The drug has proved a better option than the morphine and OxyContin he was prescribed to cope with the pain he battled during his long recovery.
