Three major fires have ravaged the Los Angeles area, claiming at least 24 lives and destroying thousands of structures in what may be among Southern California’s most catastrophic wildfires.
The Palisades Fire, now the most destructive in L.A. history, has consumed over 20,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, with only 11% containment. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has burned 14,000 acres (27% contained) and the Hurst Fire near San Fernando spans 800 acres (89% contained).
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A Community United in Crisis
Actor Steve Guttenberg witnessed the rapid devastation firsthand in Pacific Palisades.
“Nine o’clock, I was having a cup of coffee. At 9:45, the sky was black,” he recounted on TODAY.
His poignant observation resonated deeply:
“The big deal is no matter how much money you’ve got, how big your car is, your house — all you’ve got at the end is, you’re walking down the block with a little suitcase, looking to try to get to an area that’s safe and evacuate. We’re all the same.”
Celebrity Homes Lost
The fires have destroyed homes of numerous celebrities, including:
Joshua Jackson
Lost his Topanga Canyon home. In his statement to Deadline:
“First and most importantly, all the people closest to me affected by the fire are ok. My daughter, my family, my neighbors all made it out safely. Sadly my beautiful home did not survive the fires. But today, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I love.”
Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung
The couple shared video footage of their destroyed home on Instagram:
“Was supposed to be our forever home, but nothing lasts forever. Thankfully our family is safe, however other LA fire victims aren’t as fortunate.”
Milo Ventimiglia
He and pregnant wife Jarah Mariano watched their Malibu home burn via security cameras. Ventimiglia told CBS News:
“You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and what not and then you see your neighbours houses and everything kind of around and your heart just breaks.”
He noted the ironic parallel to his “This Is Us” character’s death in a house fire, adding
“We got good friends and we got good people we’re working with and we’ll make do. Wife and baby and dog, most important.”
Paris Hilton
Lost her Malibu home, which she watched burn on live TV. She shared on Instagram:
“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. 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.”
Hilton, 43, urged her followers to heed to evacuation orders and to protect one another.
“While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe,” she wrote. “My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires … To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking.”
Diane Warren
The songwriter lost her beach house of nearly 30 years. She shared on Instagram:
“I’ve had this house for almost 30 years. It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. 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.”
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
The former “The Hills” stars lost their home. Pratt posted:
“The one positive sign i saw as our house burned down was ours sons bed burned in the shape of a heart. A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family.”
Melissa Rivers
She managed to save several family heirlooms before her home was destroyed, telling CNN:
Melissa Rivers, whose home was destroyed by the fires, says she grabbed the necessities and “my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son…I went for a drawing of my mother's rather than a photo, because I know I can find the photos.” pic.twitter.com/YyIBXzbRYb
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 9, 2025
“That is the end of everything that belonged to my family and the history of it. I grabbed my mom’s Emmy, a photo of my dad 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.”
Billy Crystal
Shared with CNN:
“Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation… 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.”
He expressed optimism about the community’s resilience, saying
“We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this. We pray for the safety of the fire fighters and first responders. The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Cameron Mathison
The “All My Children” and “General Hospital” star shared video of his destroyed home:
“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 own someday.”
“Thanks to all who reached out and checked in. Can’t respond to all so wanted to give an update here. Sending so many prayers to everyone being affected by these.” Mathison added:
Anna Faris
Her representative confirmed to People that her home burned down but:
“Anna and her family are safe and very grateful.”
Rosie O’Donnell
Posted video showing destruction along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, writing:
@rosie thank u #❤️ ♬ original sound – Rosie ODonnell
“The whole of beach front homes gone — including the one i lived in.” She had evacuated to a hotel.
Cary Elwes
Cary Elwse “The Princess Bride” actor and wife Lisa Marie Elwes lost their home, sharing on Instagram they were:
“Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it,”
Ricki Lake
Lost what she called her “dream home” where she had married three years prior. She wrote:
“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.”
Mandy Moore
Her main house remains standing but is uninhabitable. She lost her garage and back house, while her husband’s music studio was destroyed. She wrote on Instagram:
“Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends. Feeling weird survivors guilt.”
She said she loves her community and will work to help rebuild it.
“Thanks for everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong,” she concluded.
Bozoma Saint John
The former Netflix CMO and “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star lost her Malibu home that represented a personal triumph. She shared:
“This is the house I wanted. The house I prayed for. The house I worked in blood, sweat and tears for… This was my EFF YOU I’m here house.”
She noted having to purchase it through complex legal arrangements due to discrimination, making its loss particularly poignant.
She added that the home also had a special movie room for her sister.
“It is gone,” she said. “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.” She asked for prayers for her and her daughter.
