Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles, Forcing Celebrities to Evacuate

Fast-moving wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents, including numerous Hollywood celebrities. The infernos have devastated affluent neighborhoods along the coast, leaving a trail of destruction and despair.

More than 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes, and a state of emergency has been declared. The flames have swept through the Pacific Palisades, a ritzy area near Malibu popular with celebrities.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, was among those forced to flee his Malibu home. He shared updates on social media, describing small fires on both sides of the road as he evacuated.

Reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt lost their home to the flames. Pratt had documented the fire's spread on Instagram, showing arid hills and black smoke. His sister, Stephanie, later confirmed the destruction of their house, attributing it to the strong winds.

The fires have also disrupted Hollywood events. Film premieres, including the British singer Robbie Williams's biopic Better Man, have been canceled. The Screen Actors Guild awards have also postponed their in-person nominations announcement.

Actor Eugene Levy, known for his roles in American Pie and Schitt's Creek, evacuated on Tuesday. He described the intense black smoke to the Los Angeles Times while stuck in traffic.

Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, expressed his anguish on Instagram, stating that the neighborhood where he grew up was burning to the ground.

The Palisades neighborhood, filled with hilltop homes overlooking the sea, has been particularly affected. Some residents were forced to abandon their cars in traffic jams and continue on foot.

Actor Steve Guttenberg, a resident of the Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind to allow fire engines access. He emphasized the urgency of clearing the roads for emergency vehicles.

The wildfires serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change. Human-caused climate breakdown is intensifying extreme weather events, leading to more frequent and severe disasters like wildfires.