As devastating wildfires blaze through several parts of Los Angeles, Hollywood celebrities are coming out to help those affected by the disaster.
Since Jan. 7, six blazes broke out, burning through an estimated 40,000 acres and destroying over 12,300 buildings so far.
Predicted winds failed to materialize on Sunday, allowing firefighters to gain some control over the situation.
Three fires are still active as of Jan. 13. According to the latest available data of Cal Fire, the Hurst fire is largely contained, while those in Eaton and Palisades are still raging hard, with Eaton about a third contained, and Palisades just 14 percent.
In a Sunday update, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported 24 deaths so far, 16 from Eaton and 8 from Palisades. Only two of the victims have been identified at this time, as more bodies are expected to be found.
Many celebrities living in Palisades saw their homes go up in flames, including Mark Hamill, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Billy Crystal, and Kate Beckinsale.
Actor James Woods thought his house had burned down when he heard his fire alarms go off on his phone after evacuating, but now said his home survived thanks to the efforts of a neighbor who stayed to spray water on nearby bushes.
With so many people forced to leave their homes or suddenly homeless, celebrities are now using their fortune to alleviate the burden of the ongoing disaster.
On Jan. 12, Beyonce pledged $2.5 million to the Fire Relief Fund she set up through her BeyGOOD Foundation.
“The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the foundation wrote on Instagram.
Last week, Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles shared that her bungalow in Malibu was devoured by the flames.
“It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred happy place. now it is gone,” she wrote on Instagram. “God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions.”
On Jan. 9, Academy Award-winning actress Hally Berry said she would donate clothes to those in need.
“I’m packing up my entire closet,” she wrote on Instagram. “If you live in the Southern California area, I urge you to do the same. This is something we can do right now today to help all of the displaced families that are in need of the basics today!”
In the video, she said: “I’m from Meadville, Pennsylvania, and a famous quote by Margaret Meade says never forget that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can make a difference.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2023, and her family joined to pledge $1 million from the family foundation to recovery efforts. She said she was in communication with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) to determine where those funds could best be used.
On Jan. 11, Eva Longoria pledged $50,000 to This Is About Humanity, a charity seeking to support “migrant farm workers, day laborers,” and their families who have been impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
She said her house was full of guests and people who had to evacuate or lost their homes.
“LA is strong. Everybody’s been so helpful, and the communities from all over … everybody’s on the streets, everybody’s helping,” an emotional Longoria said in a video. “People are coming together in beautiful ways and it’s beautiful to watch.”
If you live in the area and are unsure whether you need to evacuate as the fires spread, you can check Cal Fire’s 3D map and enter your address.