Hollywood thrown into chaos as wildfires rip through L.A., forcing evacuations, cancelling premieres
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have brought chaos and destruction to the affluent neighbourhoods of the city, forcing Hollywood stars like Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and Spencer Pratt to flee their homes. The fires have already claimed two lives and destroyed over 1,000 structures, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
Actor Mark Hamill shared on Instagram the harrowing experience of evacuating Malibu at the last minute, with fires on both sides of the road. He described it as the most horrific fire he had seen since the Kinneloa fire of 1993. Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, known for their roles in The Hills, tragically lost their home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood to the flames. Singer and actor Mandy Moore also evacuated safely with her family and pets, expressing her sadness for the destruction and loss in the city.
Canadian actor Eugene Levy, honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, had to escape through dark smoke as the fires raged on. The intense winds have fueled at least three separate blazes across the metropolitan area, with around 30,000 residents under evacuation orders. Actor James Woods shared videos of the blaze before evacuating, capturing the terrifying sight of flames consuming homes.
Actor Steve Guttenberg described the chaos as residents scrambled to evacuate, with police urging people to leave their cars in the middle of the street. Some panicked residents locked their cars, hindering fire crews’ efforts to move them. The fires have caused widespread destruction, with iconic film locations like Topanga Ranch Motel and Palisades Charter High School under threat.
The wildfires have also impacted the entertainment industry, leading to the cancellation of events like the Screen Actors Guild Award nominations announcement and film premieres. Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk were closed due to the extreme fire conditions. Amazon, Universal, Paramount, and other studios canceled premieres for various films, including Jennifer Lopez’s Unstoppable and the Blumhouse horror film Wolf Man.
As the fires continue to rage on, Hollywood stars and residents alike are mourning the loss of homes and landmarks. Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her fears for her community and friends who may lose their homes. Derek Hough of Dancing With the Stars thanked the firefighters for their bravery in battling the flames, while Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, lamented the destruction of the neighbourhood he grew up in.
The wildfires in Los Angeles have brought devastation and heartbreak to the city, with Hollywood stars and residents alike coming together to support each other in the face of this tragedy.
