Devastation and heartbreak tore through LA as a series of relentless wildfires swept parts of the city.
Homes, businesses, and landmarks have been destroyed. The Capitol Records building, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Bowl, are under evacuation orders.
Further, the evacuation area is close to the iconic Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory, which gained fame in the 1955 classic film Rebel Without a Cause.
John Locher/AP
Thousands of residents of LA who are staying at evacuation centers due to the raging wildfires have a hard time understanding how they would rebuild their lives and homes.
Speaking to CNN, Kimiko Warner-Turner, a Pasadena resident, said, “Just imagine if you go to the front door and behind it, it’s nothing, and you walk in and you have your car keys, but there’s no place to put it, and then there’s no place to lay your head, and you don’t have a blanket, a towel.
“The life that you had is just gone.”
Among the celebrities who lost their homes in the LA wildfires, which are of enormous proportions and uncontrolled because of the dry conditions and powerful winds, are Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, Ricki Lake, and Diane Warren.
They have all shared their heartbreak over the devastation of the entire community.
Billy Crystal, who lost his home of 46 years on January 8, described it as a place filled with love, memories, and family. The actor and comedian expressed hope and praised the resilience of the community.
Renowned songwriter Diane Warren posted a throwback photo of a rainbow shining on a rock on her beach-house of 30 years that she lost. She wrote she’s glad the LA wildfires spared local animals and rescue centers.
Mandy Moore’s family home in Altadena was also destroyed completely. Her post called for community support.
Ricki Lake’s home, which she described as “heaven on Earth” was among the thousands of homes that burned down. Lake praised the efforts of the firefighters and expressed gratitude for her family’s safety amid the tragedy that struck the City of Angels.
Paris Hilton watched live on TV as the fires destroyed her Malibu home.
All these celebrities, as well as other stars, used their platforms to raise awareness and funds. They believe in the power of community and hope their personal tragedies can lead to collective actions of support, and help overcome the hardships the LA wildfires brought.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that fire season in the state has become a “year-round” occurrence. Even though this period typically doesn’t experience such fire, he highlighted the influence of climate change.
