LOS ANGELES, Jan 9 – Devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles have destroyed nearly 2,000 buildings, including homes belonging to celebrities like Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and Leighton Meester. The fires, which erupted on Tuesday afternoon amid a powerful windstorm, have consumed over 29,000 acres of land and forced more than 130,000 people to flee their homes.
The largest blaze, tearing through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, has burned nearly 12,000 acres, transforming the affluent enclave—home to numerous Hollywood stars—into a charred landscape. Actor Billy Crystal, who had lived in the area with his wife since 1979, described the loss as “heartbreaking.”
Leighton Meester and Adam Brody’s $6.5 million home in Pacific Palisades, purchased in 2019, was among the properties destroyed. “We are heartbroken, but with the love of children and friends, we will get through this,” Crystal said in a statement.
Chaos in Pacific Palisades and Malibu
Pacific Palisades and Malibu, known for their scenic beauty and celebrity residences, were among the hardest-hit areas. Mandy Moore, known for her role in This Is Us, evacuated her home as flames encroached. “So gutted for the destruction and loss,” Moore wrote on Instagram.
Paris Hilton, whose beachfront mansion in Malibu was reduced to ashes, expressed her devastation on social media. “Watching our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience,” she said.
Actor James Woods recounted the chaos of evacuating his Pacific Palisades home. “We were literally in the exact epicenter of the fire as it started,” Woods told CNN.
Hollywood Hills Ablaze
By Wednesday evening, a new fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, quickly doubling in size. The “Sunset Fire,” burning near the iconic Hollywood Boulevard, prompted further evacuations and raised fears for landmarks like the Dolby Theatre and Griffith Observatory.
The fires also forced delays in major events, including the Oscar nominations announcement and the Critics Choice Awards. TV productions such as Jimmy Kimmel Live and Grey’s Anatomy were halted, and filming permits were revoked in several areas, including Pasadena.
Efforts to Contain the Blaze
Firefighters from across California have been deployed to combat the fires, which have killed at least five people. Winds began to ease on Wednesday evening, offering some relief, but the U.S. National Weather Service continued to warn of “critical fire weather” across Southern California.
CAL Fire reported five major blazes burning simultaneously, while the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power issued boil-water advisories for Pacific Palisades and Pasadena due to low water pressure and potential contamination.
Federal and Local Response
President Joe Biden cancelled a planned trip to Italy to focus on directing federal disaster relief. Meanwhile, law enforcement confirmed the arrest of three individuals for looting in fire-stricken areas.
The Hollywood community has rallied to support those affected. Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis urged her followers to “pray for those who believe in it and even for those who don’t.”
As Los Angeles grapples with one of its worst wildfire disasters in recent years, residents remain on edge, with officials warning that the danger is far from over.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
