Los Angeles is experiencing one of its worst wildfires seasons; fires are burning through some of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Thousands of residents, among them Hollywood stars, have been evacuated as their homes burn to the ground.
Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, shared a heartfelt message after losing their home of 45 years. “Every inch of our house was filled with love and memories. We are heartbroken but determined to rebuild,” the couple wrote. Actress Mandy Moore broke her silence with the loss of her Altadena home, calling out the level of destruction brought to her community, including the school where her children attend.
Among those evacuated were Mark Hamill, an actor in the Star Wars series, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Hamill described this fire as the worst since 1993, as Curtis admitted there was a harrowing loss for everyone in their neighborhood. James Woods posted footage where flames were at his property so he had evacuated safely and asked that others do too.
The fire not only displaced people but also struck the entertainment sector. The list of canceled premiers includes Universal’s Wolf Man, and productions of several shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, have been put on hold. The Critics Choice Awards have been rescheduled, too.
It has so far left more than 27,000 acres charred and is compelling over 150,000 people to evacuate as the fight continues with units from neighboring states. Community leaders and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have applauded the first responders’ efforts and volunteer work doing all it can to contain the devastation.
As the fires continued to burn, Hollywood’s strength was remarkable. In interviews, both residents and stars demonstrated their desire to regroup and rebuild their communities. “Our community is broken, but we will rise together,” said Moore in line with many of those affected by the disaster.
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