Tragedy Jonathan Scott Vows to Fix for His Fiancée: 'I Will Do Whatever It Takes'

Tragedy recently struck Jonathan Scott when his fiancée's family home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. However, as the community began to rebuild, Scott stepped in with a promise — and a plan — to help restore what was lost.

In January 2024, the Palisades Fire swept through parts of Los Angeles, tearing across dry hillsides and engulfing homes in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Although Jonathan Scott's own home was spared, tragedy struck when his fiancée, actress Zooey Deschanel, revealed her own family had not been so fortunate.

A Tragedy That Struck Close to Home for Jonathan Scott

On January 18, Deschanel took to Instagram to share before-and-after images of her family's California property that had been destroyed. One photo showed the home in its former glory — a striking white Spanish revival with terracotta roof tiles, bathed in sunlight and framed by trees.

The other, a haunting contrast, depicted the structure reduced to charred rubble and ash, its facade barely recognizable. Reflecting on the loss, Deschanel described the house as "a marvel of 1920s Spanish revival architecture." "To me it was holy, a sanctuary where we felt most safe," she wrote.

The "New Girl" star remembered childhood traditions, heirloom furniture crafted by ancestors, and the colorful glow cast by stained-glass windows at sunset. Though not a mansion, she saw the home as "cozy and lovely and unique and perfect to me." Deschanel added:

"We celebrated the best moments of our lives there. The family photos that lined the hallways, the artwork, the piano I learned to play on, the wedding china, the furniture my great great grandfather built…the reminders of generations past: All have vanished into thin air."

She ended her message with a call to kindness, asking followers to consider supporting organizations like the LA Firefighters Relief Association and Baby2Baby in honor of those affected by the fire.

Scott also shared an image of the destroyed property on his own Instagram, captioning the post, "For anyone who was also affected by the fires in Los Angeles, head to my link in bio for five things you need to know about rebuilding."

Fans responded swiftly, flooding the comments section with sympathy and support. One shared, "So sorry to see this! Sending you good energy and love to get through this difficult time."

Another wrote, "This is heartbreaking. Everything just gone like that." "Praying for y'all," added one. "So very sorry. Hate to see this happen," said another netizen.

More than two months after the first fire ignited in Pacific Palisades, Scott began offering practical guidance to others who had suffered similar losses.

Someone else commented in part, "I am so completely heartbroken for Zooey & Emily and all those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. You are such a sweet and good-hearted man Jonathan always there to help out in any way you can."

Jonathan Scott's Vow to Help Rebuild What Was Lost

After Deschanel shared the devastating photos of her childhood home destroyed in the Palisades Fire, Scott commented on the post with a message of love and determination, "💔so many fond memories. Absolutely heartbreaking." He added:

"Know that I will do whatever it takes to restore its original beauty to the best of my abilities. Nothing can replace the beauty and history of the original home. But it's the best way we can honor it. ❤️"

And he had every intention of doing just that. More than two months after the first fire ignited in Pacific Palisades, Scott began offering practical guidance to others who had suffered similar losses.

Filmed from the site of Deschanel's ruined family home — where only the stone chimney and arched entrance remained standing — the "Property Brothers" star shared a YouTube video outlining essential steps to rebuilding after fire devastation.

"So many memories here. It's just heartbreaking. I try to focus on the steps of what we actually have to do to build back," Scott said in the video.

His and his brother's official website acknowledged the widespread impact of both the Palisades and Eaton fires, writing that these tragedies had touched "so many families and communities, including Jonathan's."

Yet amid the destruction, there was a hopeful reality — thanks to community organizations, disaster relief services, and hundreds of volunteers, many rebuilding efforts were already ahead of schedule.

Still, the website emphasized that "there is plenty of work to be done," and Scott's video aimed to cut through misinformation by providing clear, verified information. He outlined a five-step process for fire survivors navigating the road to recovery.

First, he encouraged viewers to visit a disaster recovery center. There, displaced homeowners could begin the process of replacing essential identification documents — birth certificates, passports, property titles — and canceling utilities tied to the damaged address.

By sharing both knowledge and compassion, Scott turned a private moment of grief into a public resource.

Scott then turned to cleanup. He urged viewers to register for debris removal services offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While the process involved a few formalities, he emphasized that the program was free and critical to moving forward.

Even while waiting for clearance, Scott encouraged families to begin thinking about how they'd rebuild as step three. He spoke not only as a contractor but as someone with a deep appreciation for architectural legacy.

Maintaining the visual character of a neighborhood, he explained, didn't have to come at the cost of resilience. He stated:

"I encourage you to try and rebuild with the original architectural diversity that made these areas beautiful."

Furthermore, Scott highlighted the value of thoughtful, fire-conscious design — recommending tempered glass, wildfire ember mesh for vents, non-combustible exterior materials, and reduced overhangs. Once those plans were in place, the next step involved submitting them to city officials.

Thanks to an expedited permitting process in Los Angeles, Scott said homeowners whose properties were built relatively recently could expect a smoother approval timeline — offering at least one silver lining during an otherwise grueling process.

But rebuilding, he acknowledged, isn't just about bricks and mortar — it's also about financial support. In the final step, he urged viewers to understand their rights when dealing with insurance providers. He shared, "You have every right to be frustrated and upset. But I want you to also feel hope."

By sharing both knowledge and compassion, Scott turned a private moment of grief into a public resource. In doing so, he honored not just Deschanel's past, but he also helped light a path forward for others rebuilding their own.