Multiple wildfires raging through Los Angeles have left a devastating path of destruction, claiming numerous celebrity homes and historic landmarks while forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. The blazes, which include the Palisades fire west of Los Angeles, the Eaton fire north of Pasadena, the Hurst fire in the San Fernando Valley, and a new outbreak in the Hollywood Hills, have overwhelmed emergency services and led to widespread power outages affecting more than 1.5 million customers.
Celebrity Homes Lost
Among the most prominent losses is the Pacific Palisades residence of Billy Crystal and his wife Janice, their home of 45 years. “We raised our children and grandchildren here,” the couple stated Wednesday. “Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.”
Actor Mandy Moore’s Altadena property fell victim to the Eaton fire, while Paris Hilton’s Malibu estate, where her young children Phoenix and London had begun making family memories, was also destroyed. Cary Elwes, star of “The Princess Bride,” confirmed the loss of his Pacific Palisades home while expressing gratitude for his family’s safety.
Historic Landmarks Destroyed
The fires have claimed several historic properties, including the Will Rogers ranch house, a 31-room estate built in the 1920s on 359 acres of what is now Pacific Palisades. The historic Topanga Ranch Motel, constructed by William Randolph Hearst in 1929, was also lost to the flames. Palisades Charter High School, featured in numerous Hollywood productions including “Carrie” and “Teen Wolf,” suffered partial destruction.
Entertainment Industry Disruption
The timing of the fires has severely impacted Hollywood’s awards season. Following Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, the industry has seen a cascade of cancelations and postponements:
- The Critics Choice Awards have been pushed to February 26
- Oscar nomination voting has been extended, with announcements delayed to January 19
- Multiple film premieres, including “Wolf Man” and “Better Man,” have been canceled
- Production has halted on numerous television series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ted Lasso,” and “Suits LA”
Ongoing Crisis
Emergency services report that approximately 70,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, with nearly 30,000 structures threatened. The fires have created chaotic scenes throughout affected areas, with some evacuees abandoning vehicles and fleeing on foot when major arteries became gridlocked.
Mark Hamill described the harrowing experience on Instagram: “Evacuated Malibu so last minute. Small fires on both sides of the road as we approached the Pacific Coast Highway.” Other celebrities awaiting news about their properties include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who suggested her neighborhood may be affected, praised first responders: “It’s a terrifying situation and I’m grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze.”
Cultural Impact
The fires have forced the closure of major cultural institutions, including the Getty Villa and Getty Center. Universal Studios Hollywood has suspended operations, while both Universal and Disney have halted production on numerous projects. The disruption extends to television, with ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” canceling Wednesday’s live broadcast in favor of a repeat episode.
As firefighters continue battling the blazes under challenging conditions, the full extent of the damage remains unknown. However, the fires have already left an indelible mark on both the physical and cultural landscape of Los Angeles, affecting everything from historic landmarks to contemporary entertainment operations.