Makarskyy was terrified that the fire would reach their home before they could rescue their cat and collect critical belongings.
"It's one thing to see pictures online," Makarskyy told CNBC in an interview Friday, "it's another thing to see it out the plane window and to have this multisensory experience of your cabin smelling like smoke as you land. It was like entering a war zone."
Makarskyy is the head of technology at GOES, a startup founded in 2021 with a focus on providing critical health advice and services, mostly in remote areas. Aid workers and intrepid travelers can download the GOES Health app and get quick localized tips on how to deal with bug and animal bites, altitude illnesses, rashes and a host of other challenges.