The Pacific Palisades wildfire, which has been raging in Los Angeles since Tuesday, spread east on Friday, now reaching the affluent neighborhoods of Brentwood and Encino, home to several celebrities.
The Context
The Palisades Fire, the largest of four currently active in the city, has leveled much of that neighborhood and caused two deaths, according to California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
As of Sunday morning, the blaze is still only 11 percent contained, and the escalation means that new neighborhoods and properties are under threat in the region.
What To Know
As of Sunday morning, the fire covered 23,654 acres in Pacific Palisades, Topanga State Park, and Tuna Canyon. It has destroyed 513 structures and damaged 63 others. Across all the fires, 10 people have died and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed.
Several celebrities were among those who lost their homes in the fire, including singer, model and actress Paris Hilton, actor Billy Crystal, and actor Miles Teller.
Evacuations have been ordered for Encino and Brentwood, after the fire began to spread east toward those neighborhoods on Friday. Among the city's wealthiest, they are home to several celebrities. In total, over 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes.
List of Celebrities Who Live in Brentwood and Encino
- Lakers basketball star LeBron James and his family live in a $23 million Brentwood mansion.
- Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, lawyer Doug Emhoff, own a home in Brentwood inside the evacuation order zone. No one was at the residence when the evacuation order was placed last Tuesday.
- Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger lives in a mansion on a six-acre section of Brentwood with farm animals, including a donkey, a miniature horse, and a pig.
- Schwarzenegger's daughter Katherine and her husband, actor Chris Pratt, are also believed to live in Brentwood. The couple bought a property on North Carmelina Avenue, inside the evacuation order zone, for $12.5 million in 2022.
- Politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, live in a $6.2 million Brentwood mansion.
- Singer Gwen Stefani lives in a $14 million mansion in Encino.
- Singer Meghan Trainor owns a $17 million mansion in Encino.
What People Are Saying
Actor Chris Pratt wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage."
Actor and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger posted on X: "I really appreciate all of the kind messages and concern. But don't worry about me, or my animals, and certainly not my house. I would rather you focus all of your thoughts on these heroic firefighters and first responders who are fighting an impossible battle around the clock."
Basketball star LeBron James wrote on X: "I pray this nightmare ends soon! So many prayers."
What Happens Next
Cal Fire said in an update Saturday afternoon that north to northeast winds will continue through Sunday morning, and that moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will likely return next week, "creating critical fire weather conditions."
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