Los Angeles saw a frightening natural weather event — and its star-studded community has been heavily impacted.
An extreme wind storm, caused by Santa Ana gusts, sparked fast-burning brush fires at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, with drivers along Sunset Boulevard and Palisades Drive abandoning their cars to seek safety, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Local areas were evacuated, including the celebrity haven of Pacific Palisades, located about 20 miles west of Downtown L.A., where A-list stars are renowned for their sprawling luxury homes.
Stars including Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, Michael Keaton, Miles Teller, Michael Mann, Ann Sarnoff, Alan Bergman, Kathleen Kennedy and Carol Lombardini all reside in the exclusive enclave.
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, the National Weather Service labeled the wind storm a “particularly dangerous situation … Red Flag Warning event.” This type of alert affected Malibu, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains, Eastern Ventura Valley and coastal areas adjacent to the Sepulveda pass, per the outlet.
The Associated Press reported that more than 13,000 structures were put “under threat.” The origin of the fires has not been confirmed.
Below, see which celebrities have been affected by the wildfires:
Sandra Lee
The celebrity chef, 58, shared via Instagram Tuesday that the fires were nearing her house.
“My home in Malibu has got me through some of the darkest moments in my life. I have loved creating it, embellishing it, building it, caring for it, and protecting it,” she wrote. “I’ve cherished every moment I have had with it. As the fire draws closer, I pray for it — I pray for everyone in Los Angeles right now. What an incredibly terrifying moment for my community.”
Lee continued, “As the fire reaches our doorstep, please stay in contact with each other; Community in times like these is our lifeline. We are all safe but the fire is inching closer to my slice of heaven in Malibu.”
Kate Beckinsale
Beckinsale, 51, mourned the loss of her neighborhood via Instagram.
“Hearing the winds last night I prayed. I knew it would be bad — we had to evacuate many times during our life there — but the shock at the whole of the Palisades being destroyed is unthinkably horrific,” she wrote. “My daughter [Lily] and I lived there for most of her childhood and most of her childhood is gone. Her primary school, every shop or restaurant we used to go to with my parents and Michael [Sheen]’s parents — and devastatingly, most of her friends’ homes. My heart is broken.”
Cameron Mathison
The General Hospital star, 55, revealed his home was lost to the fires, posting via Instagram, “We are safe. But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their families someday.”
Mathison and his estranged wife, Vanessa Marie Arevalo, share son Lucas, 21, and daughter Leila, 18.
Steve Guttenberg
Mass evacuations, which have seen more than 30,000 locals leave their home in search of safer ground, affected actor Guttenberg, 66, who assisted firefighters by moving abandoned cars to nearby streets to improve emergency access. The Police Academy star said during an interview with KTLA on Tuesday, “I live right up the hill,” before pointing at visible flames. “I have friends up there right now, and they can’t evacuate because it’s stuck on Palisades Drive. There are families up there, there are pets up there, there are people who really need help.”
James Woods
Casino star Woods, 77, was also evacuated from his home, sharing photos and footage of raging flames via X on Tuesday.
One photo, which caught the flames and thick smoke gushing towards the sky, was captioned, “The view from one of our security cameras.”
A subsequent video was also captioned, “Leaving,” before another post from Woods read, “To all the wonderful people who’ve reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly, houses on our little street are not.”
Eugene Levy
Levy, 78, was also evacuated. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times over the phone on Tuesday, the Schitt’s Creek star said, “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon. I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt
The actress, 45, posted an update on her home via Instagram, writing, “I have no words. Only prayers and holding as much hope as I can for our home and our kids while we watch everything burn. Thank you to every first responder fighting so hard for all of us. Thank you to every friend who reached out and new person I have hugged in tears in the last 24 hours. 
.”
Hewitt and her husband, Brian Hallisay, share children Autumn, 11, Atticus, 9, and Aiden, 3.
Whitney Cummings
Cummings, 42, shared that her family is “OK for now but evacuating” on Wednesday. “Sometimes evacuating too soon just clogs the roads and makes it harder for LAFD but this fire is moving so fast that not the time to take chances,” she wrote via Instagram Story. “This changes everything forever.”
Maria Shriver
“Heartbreaking, devastating, beyond belief. Everything is gone. Our neighborhood, our restaurants. All our friends have lost everything,” Shriver, 69, wrote via Instagram Wednesday. ”We have evacuated, but are safe. But people have lost everything.”
Mandy Moore
Moore, 40, revealed she and her husband, Taylor Goldsmith, evacuated their home with their three children — Gus, 3, Ozzie, 2, and Lou, 4 months — and animals. “Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night,” she shared via Instagram Stories on Wednesday, January 8. “Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don’t know if our place made it.”
Moore recently moved into the Spanish Revival home, after finishing a massive renovation.
Later on Wednesday, Moore revealed that her children’s’ school — among other community staples — had been wiped out.
“Love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late (and endless gratitude to friends for taking us in and bringing us clothes and blankets),” she wrote via Instagram alongside footage from when she evacuated. “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.”
Mark Hamill
Star Wars icon Hamill, 73, evacuated the area as well, posting an update via Instagram on Tuesday evening. “7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH,” he wrote of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Hamill also shared that his wife, Marilou York, and their dog, Trixie, arrived at their daughter Chelsea’s house “in Hollywood” at 8:15 p.m. “Most horrific fire since ’93,” he concluded, expressing hope that others would “stay safe.”
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
Reality stars Montag, 38, and Pratt, 41, lost their property in the blaze, Pratt’s sister Stephanie Pratt revealed via Instagram on Tuesday.
“I am beyond heartbroken for my brother, Heidi & the kids,” she wrote. “And to all our friends and neighbours [sic] who have lost their houses today. Just spoke to my dad — he tried to save my brother’s house but the wind is so strong there was nothing he could do.”
Landon and Alabama Barker
Travis Barker’s children Landon, 21, and Alabama, 19, escaped their home amid the brushfire in the Pacific Palisades.
Landon gave an update to his followers via his Instagram Story on January 7, writing alongside a selfie, “Just evacuated praying for everyone the fires have effected [sic].”
Alabama also shared the news via her Instagram Story: “Just evacuated from my home due to the wild fires in Los Angeles, please be safe!! They are saying the fires are spreading football field amounts in seconds.”
Jamie Lee Curtis
Curtis, 66, shared an update on her area via Instagram January 7, posting, in part, “My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”
Following a heartfelt appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Curtis announced she would be donating $1 million to help all those impacted by the wildfires.
“My family is donating $1 million today to the relief efforts,” the actress shared in a Thursday Instagram post. “We are in contact with Governor [Gavin] Newsom, Mayor [Karen] Bass, and Senator [Adam] Schiff and I will post often about where you can send needed resources to reputable agencies.”
Josh Gad
Gad revealed on Wednesday that he has “never” seen anything “near” the amount of “devastation” the recent fires have brought in his 20 years living in Los Angeles.
“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,” he wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of the fire. “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. I’m attaching the link to my bio.
Stay safe City of Angels.”
Rob McElhenney
McElhenney let his fans know on Wednesday that he is safe with wife Kaitlin Olson and their sons, Axel and Leo.
“Our family is safe,” McElhenney shared via X. “So many homes, whole neighborhoods are just… gone. Everyone in our lives reaching out, which makes our heart so full. An astonishing amount of bravery displayed by the first responders going into to hell to help. THANK YOU.”
Diane Warren
Warren revealed that her beach house of 30 years had been lost in one of the fires on Tuesday night.
“This is the last pic I took of Leah’s rock from my beach house,” she captioned an Instagram photo of a rock on the beach. “I’ve had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last [night]. There’s a rainbow shining on it which I’m taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy. The animals and the rescue ranch are OK tho which is the most important thing. Stay safe everyone.
.”
Jennifer Grey
Grey’s daughter, Stella Gregg, told followers via an Instagram Story on Wednesday that her mom’s home had allegedly burned down.
“Last night my mama’s house was burnt to the ground,” she wrote. “Luckily, she and WInnie are safe. Give your loved ones an extra squeeze today.”
Emily Procter
The West Wing alum revealed during a CNN interview with Jake Tapper that she believes her home was destroyed in the fires.
“Selfishly, I wanted to be here to say we loved our neighborhood and we still do and it was an incredible community. We have evacuated, I believe our home is also gone — it was news I got from a stranger, which was a very surreal experience,” she told the news anchor. “But gosh, it was incredible on our way out, to see the people going in to help. And when I think about our neighborhood I think about fire station 69 and all of the firefighters that we knew; that held bake sales and toy drives … they’re as much a part of our neighborhood as anyone and I know what they’re having to do now must be extraordinarily difficult.”
Procter added that she is “grateful” her family was able to take “some clothes” and “a few necessary items” before they evacuated, but has quickly realized that people’s homes are “not structures” but are “actually microcosms of people’s lives.”
“I have an across the street neighbor who is pregnant and one whose son is applying for college and we have a new neighbor moving in and we were making plans to drop things off,” she said as tears welled up in her eyes. “I am so grateful to have survived, but it is my home. It is my neighborhood. It’s my community. What we mourn is our lives.”
Anna Faris
A rep for Faris confirmed on Wednesday that the Scary Movie star’s home had been lost to the fires, telling Us in a statement, “Anna and her family are safe and very grateful.” (Faris shares 12-year-old son Jack with ex-husband Chris Pratt.)
Paris Hilton
Hilton shared that she was “heartbroken beyond words” over her losing her home.
“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,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday. “This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.”
Despite the loss being “overwhelming” Hilton noted that she is filled with “gratitude” that her family is safe and sent her “heart and prayers” to “every family affected” by the fires.
“To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets,” she said. “My heartaches for those still in harm’s way or mourning greater losses. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking.”
Hilton also noted that her 11:11 Media Impact Team, her non-profit focused on advocating for child protection, is “already reaching out” to other organizations to “figure out how we can best support the communities impacted.”
“We’re committed to offering help as soon as possible and making a meaningful difference for those who need it most,” she continued, before sending thanks to those working on the ground.
“To the brave firefighters and first responders risking their lives to protect us—you are true heroes. I am so grateful for your courage, dedication, and the incredible sacrifices you’re making to save lives and fight this unimaginable battle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she concluded. “Please, everyone, stay safe and follow evacuation orders. Let’s protect one another and hold onto hope that these fires will soon be contained. Sending so much love and strength to all of you. We’re in this together, LA. Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight. You never know when everything could change.”
Billy Crystal
Billy and his wife, Janice Crystal, addressed the loss of their home — which they’ve resided in for more than four decades — in a Wednesday statement to. Us.
“Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,” the statement read. “We ache for our firends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.”
The statement continued, “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. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we awill get through this. We pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders. teh Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Julianne Hough
Hough evacuated her home in the Hollywood Hills after a fire broke out in the area on Wednesday night.
“OK, so, there is a fire right by my house,” Hough said via Instagram Stories, in a clip recorded at her home. “We’re with friends, but anybody that’s in the Hollywood Hills, I’ve just been having this intuitive feeling that we’re in a bowl of how everything is surrounding Hollywood, and now this is at the center of Hollywood. Everybody needs to just evacuate. Go, go, go, go, go. Right now.”
After sharing that message, Hough updated her followers with a second video taken in a car. She was with her dog, Sunny.
“Sunny and I are safe and we’re driving, but the reason why I say ‘evacuate now’ even if it’s not close to you, if you have somewhere to go, because: There’s traffic,” she said. “And you’re gonna be stuck in traffic. And that is not good. So everybody, just please be safe and send prayers to all of the first responders and firefighters and just come together — you know, like, all you can do is be there for each other.”
Melissa Rivers
The daughter of the late Joan Rivers called into CNN on Wednesday with the news that her home was destroyed by the fires.
“My heart is so broken, not just for myself, but for everybody going through this,” Melissa said, adding of the Pacific Palisades, “It’s a town, and it’s wiped off the map.”
“That is the end of everything that belonged to my family and the history of it,” Melissa told CNN. “I grabbed my mom’s Emmy, a photo of my dad [Edgar Rosenberg] and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son. … I went for a drawing of hers, rather than a photo. I know I can find the photos, but a drawing I can’t replace.”
Chrissy Teigen
The model detailed the “surreal” moment she evacuated with husband John Legend and their four kids — Luna, 8, Miles, 6, Esti, 23 months, and Wren, 18 months — in a social media post.
“I’m very scared now. Packing,” Teigen captioned a selfie in which she was standing alongside a suitcase. She later shared a video in a hotel with Legend, letting fans know that they had gotten out of their house safely.
“4 dogs, 4 kids and a bearded dragon walk into a hotel,” she captioned the clip. (Teigen and Legend own dogs Petey, Pearl, Pebbles and Penny, plus a reptile named Sebastian.)
Ricki Lake
The actress shared a series of photos from her California home via Instagram telling followers that it was “all gone” amid the fires.
“I can’t believe I am typing these words After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home,” she said, referring to husband Ross Burningham. “This description ‘dream home’ doesn’t suffice. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together. We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second.”
Lake called the loss “immeasurable,” noting it was where she and Burningham got married in 2022.
“I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event. Praying for all of my neighbors, my friends, my community, the animals, the firefighters and first responders,” she added. “More to share soon of how we escaped with Dolly and not much else. For now I grieve.”
Gabby Windey
The former Bachelorette star shared on Wednesday that she and girlfriend Robby Hoffman evacuated in the early hours of the morning “due to heavy smoke and no power.”
“Feel incredibly lucky we have somewhere to go and praying for the [sic] everyone losing their homes, fire fighters and medical staff and patients,” her Instagram Story read.
Kid Cudi
The musician shared via social media that he had also evacuated his house.
“Im safe, w my loved ones, dogs are safe. For all the folks who lost their homes, people that are dealing with this, my heart hurts for you and Im praying for us all and I send ALL my love to you and yours,” he wrote. “If you have to evacuate, get out immediately. Dont hesitate. Be safe LA. Love you guys.”
Karla Souza
The How to Get Away With Murder alum lost her home to the wildfires, she announced on Thursday.
“The Palisades has been our family’s home for 11 years — a place where my children were born, grew up, and were surrounded by the love and care of our wonderful neighbors and this incredible community. To see it now, facing such unimaginable devastation, breaks my heart beyond words. Our kids’ schools, our churches, our library—our entire lives as we’ve known them—have been reduced to ashes,” Souza, 39, wrote via Instagram.
“Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the uncertainty and loss these fires have brought to this beloved community,” she continued. “My family and I are safe, and we’re holding everyone affected close in our hearts.”
Jeff Bridges
Reps confirmed to TMZ that Jeff, 75, lost the Malibu home he shared with his family. The 4-bedroom home with views of the Pacific Ocean has been in the Bridges family for generations and was inherited by Jeff, his brother, fellow actor Beau Bridges, and their sister, Lucinda.
Candy Spelling
Tori Spelling‘s mom Candy, 79, lost her home on Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway to the wildfires — a place she said her late husband Aaron Spelling loved.
She told TMZ, “I’m in shock and processing this massive loss for our family. I am beyond grateful for the memories. It was truly a wonderful gift to have.”
Last year, Candy listed the home for sale for $24 million but later took it off the market.
Cary Elwes
The Princess Bride star, 62, posted a video of the devastation he was passing as he evacuated his Malibu home on Tuesday.
The following day, he shared an update that he and his family did lose their home, writing via Instagram, “We are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire.” He also extended his gratitude to first responders and those wishing him well.
Jhené Aiko
In a now deleted Instagram post, Aiko, 36, shared she lost her home to the fires.
Late Thursday morning, she posted that her house “burned to the ground” and she’s now focusing on “starting from scratch.”
