Los Angeles: Celebrities including Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore, and Maria Shriver were among the tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to burn out of control around Los Angeles.
The largest blaze has consumed nearly 12,000 acres (4,856 hectares) in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, located between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Known for its picturesque views and as home to many film, television, and music stars, the area has been particularly devastated by the fires.
“Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief,” Maria Shriver, journalist and former first lady of California, shared on X on Wednesday. “Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants.”
She also acknowledged the heroic efforts of the firefighters: “The firefighters have and are doing their best, but this fire is massive and out of control.”
Actor James Woods, who evacuated his Pacific Palisades home, described the intensity of the disaster: “We were literally in the exact epicenter of the fire as it started,” he told CNN. “There was so much chaos. It was like an inferno.”
The massive fires disrupted Hollywood’s annual awards season, just as it was beginning. The Critics Choice Awards, scheduled for this weekend, were postponed by two weeks, while the announcement of Oscar nominations was delayed by two days, according to organizers.
Strong, dry winds fueled the fires, with the narrow, winding streets of Pacific Palisades becoming congested by the rush of evacuees. The resulting traffic jams and delays compounded the chaos.
Actor Henry Winkler shared his shock: “It is surreal here in Los Angeles,” he wrote on X. “It is biblical. So many people have lost everything.”
Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis expressed concern for her community, writing on Instagram: “It is a terrifying situation. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.” She later confirmed she was safe, but added, “my community and possibly my home is on fire.”
Mandy Moore, star of “This Is Us,” also evacuated with her family, writing on Instagram: “So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don’t know if our place made it.”
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Pacific Palisades, known for its median home price of $4.5 million, is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains. In addition to being home to numerous celebrities, it also hosts the Getty Villa, one of Los Angeles’ most visited museums.
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The fires, which are spreading across the region, have led to significant disruptions in Los Angeles’ film industry. Film permits were revoked in Pasadena and other parts of the city, and production was halted on TV shows including “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Grey’s Anatomy”. Several film premieres were also called off.
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City authorities blocked public access to the iconic Hollywood sign due to the fires.
Mark Hamill, famed for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” films, described the blaze as the “most horrific” he had seen since 1993. He shared on Instagram that he evacuated his Malibu home with his wife and dog, navigating small fires along the Pacific Coast Highway.
