Multiple celebrities slammed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over her response to multiple wildfires burning in the city.
The Context
New wildfires emerged in Los Angeles overnight as the city continues to battle two other fires in the area. Five people have been killed, and over 130,000 people were ordered to evacuate. Nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night.
What To Know
The Pacific Palisades area, home to many celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon and Michael Keaton, is one of several areas impacted by the wildfires.
Which Celebrities Have Spoken Against California's Leadership On The Wildfires?
Celebrities who have spoken against Bass, Los Angeles' Democratic mayor, include actors Sara Foster, Sarah Michelle Gellar and James Woods.
Sara Foster
Foster called on Bass and Newsom to resign in an X post.
"We pay the highest taxes in California," Foster wrote. "Our fire hydrants were empty. Our vegetation was overgrown, brush not cleared. Our reservoirs were emptied by our governor because tribal leaders wanted to save fish. Our fire department budget was cut by our mayor. But thank god drug addicts are getting their drug kits."
Jay Lund, the vice director of the Center for Watershed Sciences and a professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, previously told Newsweek that the low water supply is more likely caused by increased demand, not the release of water from reservoirs.
Los Angeles cut $17.6 million from the fire department's budget this fiscal year, a small fraction of the department's total annual budget of almost $820 million. Additional agencies are assisting in fighting the fires, and federal resources have been deployed.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Gellar tagged Bass and the city of Los Angeles on her Instagram story as she shared frustrations about the evacuation process.
"City of LA you want everyone to evacuate yet you have complete gridlock and not one traffic cop on the roads helping," Gellar wrote.
James Woods
Woods placed blame on Bass and Newsom as he replied to a user on X about the wildfire.
"It's because liberal idiots like you elect liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. One doesn't understand the first thing about fire management and the other can't fill the water reservoirs," Woods wrote.
Woods, who lives in the Pacific Palisades area, evacuated from his home on Tuesday.
Jillian Michaels
Fitness expert Jillian Michaels, who lost her home to a wildfire in 2018, said she helped to evacuate her mother on Wednesday. Michaels criticized Bass in an X post.
"The mayor is apparently in Ghana," Michaels wrote.
Bass returned from Ghana on Wednesday. She was in the county as part of a four-member U.S. presidential delegation attending the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
"The fire departments budget was apparently cut by 17 mil. And someone made the decision to not refill some of the reservoirs - now some fire hydrants are dry. Leadership in California is beyond negligent. This is completely unacceptable," Michaels said.
What Have Other Celebrities Said About The Wildfires?
Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt thanked emergency services in an X post.
"Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfires fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage," Pratt wrote.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis became emotional as she spoke about the wildfires during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday.
"As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning," Curtis said.
Actor Steve Guttenberg described the wildfires in an interview with CNN.
"I haven't seen anything like this in my entire life, and I don't think many people have," Guttenberg said.
Guttenberg told KTLA that he was helping move cars abandoned on Palisades Drive to make room for fire trucks.
Which Celebrity Homes Have Been Destroyed By The Fires?
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag lost their home in the fire. On Wednesday, Pratt said his son's bed burned in the shape of a heart as his house "burned to the ground."
"A sign of how much love was in this house so thankful for all the years and memories there with our family," Pratt wrote on Instagram.
General Hospital actor Cameron Mathison also confirmed on Instagram that his house had been destroyed.
"We are safe," Mathison said. "But this is what's left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday."
Actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester lost their home in the wildfire, according to TMZ. Mom star Anna Farris lost her home as well, the outlet reported.
Singer, model and actor Paris Hilton said she was "heartbroken beyond words" to learn her home had burned down.
"Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience," Hilton said.
Actor Billy Crystal was also among the celebrities who lost a home in the fire.
"Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can't be taken away," Crystal said in a statement.
What People Are Saying
Bass, on X on Tuesday: "We've declared a state of emergency to amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery. To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze – we thank you. To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire – the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this fire continues."
What Happens Next
Fire crews are continuing to fight the wildfires. Bass said on X that evacuation orders for the Sunset fire were lifted at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday. She said crews will still work in the area and urged people to "be careful" when returning home.
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