Pacific Palisades, a famous affluent area in the Los Angeles area known for celebrity mansions and beautiful scenery, is now shrouded in a blanket of smoke and flames.
The raging Palisades Fire in the area quickly spread, devouring over 3,000 acres of land and forcing more than 30,000 people to evacuate their homes. Roads were clogged with fleeing crowds and abandoned vehicles, while the Santa Ana Winds fueled the flames, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency.
This sudden disaster has not only alarmed ordinary residents but also sent Hollywood celebrities into panic. Despite owning multi-million dollar mansions in Pacific Palisades, the elite residents found themselves just as vulnerable in the face of natural disasters.
“Star Wars” star Mark Hamill recalled the rushed evacuation from his Malibu home, describing the “small flames on the sides of the roads” during the tense process of fleeing by car. He described it as the most terrifying fire since 1993 when the Malibu fire burned 18,000 acres of land and destroyed 323 homes.
Eugene Levy from “Schitt’s Creek” witnessed thick black smoke rising from Temescal Canyon during the evacuation. He mentioned, “I couldn’t see the flames, but the smoke was so thick, it was suffocating.”
Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and his wife Heidi Montag lost their home, and even the local fire station was not spared. Pratt’s sister expressed on social media, “This is an indescribable pain for my brother, Heidi, and the kids.”
“Miles Teller, the star of “Top Gun: Maverick,” shared photos of the fire and urged evacuees on Instagram to leave water for animals.
James Woods captured a photo of flames burning among palm trees before evacuating, saying, “Losing everything in an instant will test your soul.”
Pacific Palisades is renowned for its seclusion and natural beauty, attracting celebrities and billionaires to settle down. The residential properties here are worth millions of dollars, ranging in architectural styles from ultra-modern to Mediterranean. However, this wildfire has shattered the tranquility of the community.
The flames rapidly spread to Temescal Canyon, crossing the famous Sunset Boulevard and burning parts of Palisades Charter High School. The school not only serves as a community landmark but has also been a filming location for several Hollywood movies, including “Carrie” in 1976 and “Freaky Friday” in 2003.
Similarly, the Getty Villa Museum in Pacific Palisades was also threatened. While the museum stated that the buildings and collections were temporarily safe, some vegetation had been destroyed.
Firefighters are working tirelessly day and night to extinguish the flames, but the strong winds have made firefighting increasingly challenging. The Los Angeles Fire Department stated that helicopters and other aerial equipment cannot be used in firefighting due to wind speeds reaching up to 60 miles per hour, relying solely on ground crews.
Over 1,400 firefighters are putting in their utmost efforts, while tens of thousands of municipal workers are also participating in the rescue efforts, repairing power lines, clearing roads, and aiding in safe evacuations.
The entertainment industry is also affected, with multiple movie premieres being canceled, including “Unstoppable,” “Better Man,” and “Wolfman.” The American Actors Guild Award nomination event, scheduled to be held in Pacific Palisades, has also been postponed.
(This article references reports from the BBC and the Associated Press)