Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles
The entertainment industry is responding to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles that have displaced over 150,000 individuals from their homes.
The fires, which ignited on Tuesday (January 7), escalated rapidly into five concurrent blazes across different regions, resulting in the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents. As of this writing, at least five fatalities have been confirmed due to the fires, which are worsening with the fierce Santa Ana winds, according to CNN.
Impact on Residents and Celebrities
The primary regions affected by the wildfires include Palisades, Eaton, Woodley, Hurst, and Lydia. Among the celebrities forced to evacuate are actors Mark Hamill, James Woods, Mandy Moore, and others. While the majority of musicians in Los Angeles are currently safe, their families have faced dire situations. Travis Barker’s children had to evacuate their home in Palisades.
Musicians like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande quickly disseminated resources on social media, while others shared personal experiences of evacuation and conveyed condolences to those affected, as thousands of houses and belongings were consumed by the flames.
On January 7, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill tweeted: “Personal fire update: 7:00 pm – Malibu was evacuated so last minute; there were small fires on the sides of the road as we approached PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).” He was relieved to arrive safely at their daughter Chelsea’s home alongside his wife Marilou and their dog Trixie. Hamill referred to the fire as “the worst since 1993,” recalling the Malibu fire that devastated 323 homes.
Oscar winner James Woods shared his heartache on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the loss of his home, stating, “It’s like losing a loved one.” In another post, he expressed, “It tests your soul, losing everything at once.”
I picked this up last night from our lovely little house in Palisades. Now all fire alarms are triggered simultaneously remotely.
This is a test of the soul, losing everything at once, I must say. pic.twitter.com/nH0mLpxz5C
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025
Woods spoke with CNN about his struggles during the evacuation, breaking down as he recounted how his eight-year-old niece tried to assist them in rebuilding by bringing her piggy bank. He shared his harrowing experience helping a 94-year-old neighbor with dementia: “He was left alone. It was like hell; every house around us was burning.”
James Woods burst into tears on CNN pic.twitter.com/Hw1nxQkBTu
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 8, 2025
Actress Mandy Moore revealed on Instagram that she, her children, and pets were able to evacuate safely “before it was too late.” She expressed her shock and grief for those who have lost their homes, including her family: “So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken, but we will rebuild together.”
