The entertainment world is reacting to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles that have forced over 150,000 people to evacuate from their homes.
The wildfires that began on Tuesday (January 7) have quickly morphed into five concurrent fires in separate neighbourhoods, causing well over 150,000 residents to flee from their homes. At the time of writing, per CNN, there have been at least five confirmed deaths from the fires, which are worsening from the strong Santa Ana winds.
The five major neighbourhoods being destroyed by the wildfires are the Palisades, Eaton, Woodley, Hurst and Lidia. Among the residents who have had to evacuate their homes are a number of celebrities, including actors Mark Hamill, James Woods, Mandy Moore and others. While it seems – for now – that the vast majority of musicians in Los Angeles are safe, their relatives and immediate families have had close calls. Travis Barker‘s children Landon and Alabama had to evacuate from their Palisades home.
Musicians like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande were quick to share links to resources on social media, while others detailed their experiences with evacuation. Others also shared their sympathies with the people affected by the tragedies as thousands of homes, belongings and more are being burnt to the ground.
On January 7, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill shared an update on his social media channels: “Personal Fire Update: 7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on the sides of the road as we approached PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)”. He also shared his wife Marilou, dog Trixie, and himself had arrived safely at their daughter Chelsea’s home in Hollywood. Hamill commented on the fire, saying it was the “most horrific since ‘93”. This is a reference to a 1993 fire in Malibu, which destroyed 323 homes.
Academy Award winner James Woods posted on X (formerly Twitter) about evacuating his home, which he fears he may have lost to the blaze. “It feels like losing a loved one” he remarked before adding in another post “it tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say”.
I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.
It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say. pic.twitter.com/nH0mLpxz5C
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 8, 2025
Woods has since spoken to CNN about the devastating incident and broke down in tears during the interview as he recalled his wife Sara Miller-Woods’ eight-year-old niece retrieving her piggy bank to help them rebuild their house.
Woods also detailed his own evacuation helping his 94-year-old neighbour with dementia: “He’d been left alone. There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us.”
James Woods breaks down in tears on CNN pic.twitter.com/Hw1nxQkBTu
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 8, 2025
Actress Mandy Moore shared on Instagram that she and her children and pets were able to evacuate safely “before it was too late”. She wrote: “Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control.”
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Marvel star Chris Pratt shared a post hailing the fire department and first responders for their efforts and asked his followers to keep those affected in their prayers. At the time, 30,000 residents were forced to evacuate – this has since risen to over 150,000 and counting: “Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires. Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.
“Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.”
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Musician and Wicked actress Ariana Grande took to her Instagram stories, writing: “My heart is with everyone impacted by the devastating LA fires. Sharing some organisations to support who are responding to those affected in real time.” She then reposted several stories with links to accounts aiding those in need, including evacuation and animal shelters.
Billie Eilish has done the same, sharing a link to the LA fire department: “What’s going on in LA right now is sooo scary and devastating. This link to the fire department should provide important updates to keep yourself and your pets safe.”
Shawn Mendes has shared the same resources, adding: “I’m sorry to those who have lost their homes already, I can’t imagine. As long as you are safe out there.” Vanessa Hudgens urged fans to “keep an eye out for evacuation zones,” adding, “This is so scary. My heart breaks for everyone affected. Thank you to all the firefighters out there risking their lives.”
Paris Hilton has also shared links to resources including Palisades fire shelters, the LA Food Bank, LAFD Wildfire Emergency Fund, California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund and more.
Zoe Saldaña on Instagram wrote: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California, particularly those who have lost their homes. She also shared a link to resources.
The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco wrote in an Instagram Story: “Prayers for the incredible first responders, all the homes being lost, loved ones and animals. This is heart-wrenching to witness what’s happening in our backyard.”
Josh Gad wrote: “I have lived in Los Angeles for close to 20 years and I have never seen anything near the devastation we are witnessing right now. So many of my friends have lost their homes. So many firefighters are putting their lives on the line right now along with emergency services and every time they suppress one fire another one pops up. We are in the midst of a catastrophic event of apocalyptic proportions. Please consider donating to the LAFD foundation right now. They need all the help they can get.”
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Josh Brolin called out the “horrible mismanagement and shit leadership” in California, citing “hydrants are dried up and the reservoir wasn’t refilled”.
Model and socialite Kendall Jenner shared a list of resources, and through her alcohol brand 818 shared the following statement: “It is devastating to witness the ongoing LA wildfires in a place we hold so close to our hearts. Our thoughts are with everyone affected and the first responders working tirelessly to protect lives.
The brand continued: “We are making a donation to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund to support the community through this challenging time.”
Additionally, a friend of DIIV frontman Zachary Cole Smith has launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid the musician, his pregnant wife and their two-year-old kid Rory after their house was destroyed in the fires. Besides the house, the family have also lost all of their belongings, Zachary’s musical equipment, baby supplies for Rory and their incoming baby, the family car and more.
The post Entertainment world reacts to “heart-wrenching” Los Angeles wildfires appeared first on NME.