As multiple blazes spread through the Los Angeles area, at least five people have died and thousands of structures have been destroyed in what may be some of the most destructive wildfires in Southern California history.
Five fires burned in the LA area as of Thursday morning. The Palisades Fire ripped through western neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu, becoming the most destructive wildfire in LA history. The fire is more than 17,000 acres and is completely uncontained, according to CalFire.
The Sunset Fire burned more than 40 acres in the Hollywood Hills, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena has grown to more than 10,000 acres, according to CalFire. The Hurst Fire near the city of San Fernando spans more than 800 acres, according to CalFire.
Thousands of structures have burned to the ground, including homes of celebrities who live in the LA area. Actor Steve Guttenberg sprang into action when flames broke out in his neighborhood of Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning, helping his neighbors evacuate and working to clear the roads for emergency responders.
“Nine o’clock, I was having a cup of coffee. At 9:45, the sky was black,” he said on TODAY Jan. 9. “It was just terrible. Within I’d say, 20 minutes, everything changed. And it’s not gotten better. Obviously, it’s gotten worse.”
Guttenberg, 66, added he was trying to get back to his house to “see what’s there,” and that he spoke to his gate guard, whom he described as “so emotional.”
“The big deal is no matter how much money you’ve got, how big your car is, your house. All you’ve got at the end is, you’re walking down the block with a little suitcase, looking to try to get to an area that’s safe and evacuate,” he said. “We’re all the same.”
Here are some of the celebrities affected by the wildfires in LA.
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton shared she was “heartbroken beyond words” after watching her home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV.
“Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. 😢 This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London,” she wrote in a Jan. 8 Instagram post, referring to her two children, Phoenix and London.
Hilton, 43, urged her followers to heed to evacuation orders and to protect one another.
“While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe,” she wrote. “My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires … To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking.”
Dianne Warren
Songwriter Diane Warren shared on Instagram Jan. 8 that her beach house of more than 30 years had been destroyed.
“I’ve had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite,” she wrote in the caption. “There’s a rainbow shining on it which I’m taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. The animals and the rescue ranch are OK tho which is the most important thing. Stay safe everyone.”
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, former stars of “The Hills,” lost their home in the Palisades Fire, the pair said in social media posts.
“The one positive sign i saw as our house burned down was ours sons bed burned in the shape of a heart,” Pratt said in an Instagram post on Jan. 8. “A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family.”
The couple married in 2008 and share two children together: Gunner, 7, and Ryker, 2.
Melissa Rivers
Melissa Rivers, the daughter of Joan Rivers and Edgar Rosenberg, said she was able to save several important items that belonged to her parents before her home was destroyed.
“That is the end of everything that belonged to my family and the history of it,” Rivers said on CNN on Jan. 8. “I grabbed my mom’s Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son. I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can’t replace.”
Billy Crystal
Actor and comedian Billy Crystal shared how he had been impacted by the fires in a statement to CNN on Jan. 8.
“Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy,” he said. “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.”
He added: “We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this. We pray for the safety of the fire fighters and first responders. The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Cameron Mathison
“All My Children” and “General Hospital” star Cameron Mathison shared a devastating video showing what was left of his home on Jan. 8.
“We are safe,” he said. “But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”
Mathison added: “Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Can’t respond to all so wanted to give an update here. Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these.”
James Woods
Actor James Woods broke down in tears on CNN as he described losing his home in Pacific Palisades.
“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” Woods said on Jan. 8. “There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us.”
Woods, getting choked up on air and wiping tears from his eyes, apologized and said, “I thought I would be stronger than this.”
Anna Faris
Anna Faris’ home burned down, but she and her family are unharmed, her representative told People on Jan. 8.
“Anna and her family are safe and very grateful,” a rep for Faris said in a statement to the magazine.
Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell posted a video on TikTok on Jan. 8 showing the destruction along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and sharing that she had lost her home.
“On pch in malibu — the whole of beach front homes gone — including the one i lived in,” she wrote in the caption.
O’Donnell wrote in a Jan. 7 Instagram post she was safe and had evacuated to a hotel.
Cary Elwes
“The Princess Bride” actor Cary Elwes and his wife Lisa Marie Elwes said they had lost their home, but were “grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire.”
“Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it,” the couple wrote in a joint Instagram post on Jan. 8.
Ricki Lake
Ricki Lake said she lost her “dream home” in an Instagram post on Jan. 8. The actor said she escaped with her dog, Dolly, and “not much else.”
“After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home. This description ‘dream home’ doesn’t suffice. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second. I shared our sunset 🌅 views almost daily with all of you,” she wrote.
