The raging wildfires in Los Angeles, California continue to wreak havoc, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. The Pacific Palisades area, known for its luxury homes, has seen many Hollywood stars among the victims of the disaster. Janet (Xie Yifen), a Taiwanese artist based in Los Angeles, attended an event in Taipei on the 9th of January. When asked about the situation of the wildfires back home, she revealed that one of the fires was only 5 kilometers away from her house but fortunately was quickly extinguished.
According to reports from Reuters, there are at least six wildfires burning in different parts of Los Angeles County, with three major fires classified as “0% contained” by authorities. These include the fires on the east and west sides of the city and the smaller Sunset Fire located in the Hollywood Hills above Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame.
On the 9th, while attending an event in Taipei, Janet’s phone kept receiving emergency alerts from Los Angeles. When asked about her family’s situation, she reassured everyone, “My husband and child are safe, our house is undamaged but without electricity, the outside air is heavily polluted, and our car is covered in ash.”
However, Janet mentioned that several friends had lost their homes, some having to rely on mobile maps to locate their properties. Her voice choked with emotion as she mentioned this at the event.
It has been reported that the homes of Hollywood stars like Leonardo DiCaprio have been destroyed in the wildfires. Billy Crystal and his wife Janice announced the loss of their home in the Pacific Palisades where they had lived since 1979. Actress Paris Hilton watched in despair as her coastal mansion in Malibu burned down during a live broadcast, expressing her heartbreak. Emmy-winning actor James Woods recounted his escape from the wildfires, stating, “One day I was swimming in the pool, the next day everything was gone.”
Elon Musk shared a video on X showing the aftermath of the wildfires in the vicinity. The footage revealed rows of luxury homes reduced to ashes, with the entire area almost completely flattened. Due to the emergency evacuations ordered by local authorities, the streets were deserted.
Janet expressed her sadness, saying, “This wildfire is extremely severe, some of my friends have lost their homes. My family was very lucky as the nearby fires were quickly extinguished. There was a small fire less than half a kilometer from my house which was put out quickly, and another fire 5 kilometers away from my house was also extinguished, but thousands of residents have been affected.” She also mentioned that neighbors are helping each other, sharing information about their current situation. Her family has food, water, and batteries to assist those affected by the disaster. Worried about her family, Janet decided to return to the United States early by taking a flight.