Over 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire threatens homes in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. The impacted area is home to many celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon and Michael Keaton.
Why It Matters
The wind-driven wildfire has spread to over 5,000 acres with no containment reported as of Wednesday. Over 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the Pacific Palisades fire, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night and that “all hands are on deck” to fight the Palisades fire.
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. A state of emergency has been declared in California as the blaze continues to…
More
AP Photo/Ethan Swope
What To Know
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag lost their home in the fire on Tuesday, TMZ reported. The family safely evacuated earlier that day.
Pratt shared a video of fire officials dumping water on the wildfire on his Instagram Story.
On Wednesday, Pratt said his son’s bed burned in the shape of a heart as his house “burned to the ground.”
“A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family,” Pratt wrote on Instagram.
General Hospital actor Cameron Mathison shared a video of what was left of his home after the fire on Instagram.
“We are safe,” Mathison 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.”
Actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester lost their home in the fire, according to TMZ. Mom actor Anna Faris lost her home as well, the outlet reported.
Singer, model and actress Paris Hilton said she was “heartbroken beyond words” to learn her home had been destroyed in the fire.
“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,” Hilton said.
Actor Billy Crystal also lost his home in the fire, celebrity.land reported.
“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,” Crystal and his wife, Janice, said in a joint statement.
Actor Melissa Rivers, daughter of late comedian Joan Rivers, said her home was destroyed in the fire. She evacuated with her mother’s Emmy, a photo of her father and a drawing her mother made, along with necessities like birth certificates and medications.
“I went for a drawing of my mother’s rather than a photo, because I know I can find the photos,” Rivers said.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and businesswoman Bozoma Saint John said she lost her home in the fire. She wrote on Instagram: “This is an unimaginable loss. I grieve with the rest of Los Angeles as it burns… and even though I’ve found even words to write here, there’s nothing that I could say in this moment to describe this feeling.”
Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy told the Los Angeles Times that he evacuated on Tuesday. The honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades eventually lost his million-dollar property. His son, Dan Levy, wrote on social media: “Heartbroken for my family, my friends, and the people of LA affected by the catastrophic fires.”
James Woods’ home was destroyed after he was forced to evacuate, sharing multiple updates to X, formerly Twitter.
“All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones,” he wrote. “I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one.”
Only 10 minutes later, the Once Upon a Time in America star shared another update, writing alongside a video: “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.”
Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh lost their mansion, though they have yet to comment.
The fires severely burned the Altadena house of musician and actor Mandy Moore, who lived there with her husband Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes and their children.
“We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss. Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. It’s not livable but mostly intact,” she wrote on Instagram. “We lost Taylor and griffin’s studio with every instrument and piece of equipment they’ve ever owned. We lost our garage and back house. Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone.”
Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé, is also grieving the loss of her home, revealing on Instagram that her “sanctuary” is “gone.”
Celebrities including Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, John C. Reilly, Yolanda Hadid and Hairspray actor and talk show host Ricki Lake have also sadly lost their homes.
Celebrity Evacuations From Pacific Palisades Fire
Other celebrities have taken to social media to share updates about evacuations as the blaze spreads.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis said her home is safe on Instagram on Wednesday.
“It is a terrifying situation, and I’m grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze,” Curtis said.
Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Denise Crosby said she is safe with her husband and dog but is unsure if she has a house.
On Instagram, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill said he evacuated with his wife and dog on Tuesday. He called it the “most horrific” fire he had seen since 1993.
Britney Spears has also been forced to leave her home, revealing on Instagram that she had been without power for days.
“I hope you are all doing OK!!!,” the pop superstar wrote. “I had to evacuate my home and I’m driving 4 hours to a hotel!!! I pray you’re all doing well and I send my love [red rose emoji]!!!”
Chrissy Teigen previously revealed that she was preparing to leave her house with her husband John Legend and their four children. She uploaded a picture of herself packing a big black bag, with the caption: “This is surreal I’m very scared now. packing.”
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom, on X: “California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze. We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as they respond to this severe weather.”
What Happens Next
Fire crews are continuing to fight the blaze. A high wind warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Update 1/8/25 3:33 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include new information about Jamie Lee Curtis’ home and Cameron Mathison’s home.
Update 1/8/25 4:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include new information about Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Anna Faris’ homes.
Update 1/9/25 10:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include new information about Billy Crystal, Spencer Pratt and Paris Hilton’s homes.
Update 1/9/25 2:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include new information about Melissa Rivers’ home.
Update 1/9/25 4:03 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include new information about Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and businesswoman Bozoma Saint John’s home.
Update 1/10/25 10:07 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include information about Eugene Levy, James Woods, Miles Teller, Mandy Moore, Tina Knowles, Britney Spears and Chrissy Teigen.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsweek.com ’
