Wildfires rage across Los Angeles: Celebrities and residents urged to evacuate

The wildfires raging across Los Angeles pose significant dangers, threatening lives, homes, and the environment. With flames consuming vast areas, residents have been urged to evacuate immediately to ensure their safety. Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker, is among those who have heeded the warnings and evacuated Malibu.

He shared on Instagram how he, his wife Marilou York, and their dog Trixie left their home under urgent circumstances. "7pm - Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH," he recounted, highlighting the perilous conditions they faced. By 8:15 p.m., they arrived safely at their daughter Chelsea's house in Hollywood. Hamill described the situation as the "most horrific fire since '93," emphasizing the urgency for others to "stay safe."

The fires began in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy neighborhood, and quickly spread to Malibu and Santa Monica. As of Wednesday morning, the Palisades fire was reported to be zero percent contained, along with other active wildfires in L.A. County, including the Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires. In response to the escalating crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night, with evacuation orders issued for both Santa Monica and Malibu.

Celebrities share evacuation stories

Celebrities have taken to social media to share their experiences amid this chaos. Actor James Woods posted a video on X, showing the devastation near his home in Pacific Palisades. "It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say," he expressed, capturing the emotional toll of such a disaster. In an interview with CNN, Woods described the frantic scene, noting how a neighbor managed to rescue a 90-year-old with dementia just before their house burned down. "There was so much chaos, it was like an inferno. Every house was on fire around us," he recalled.

Steve Guttenberg, another Pacific Palisades resident, appeared on CNN after spending the day assisting stranded motorists on the Pacific Coast Highway, which has since been closed. He characterized the fire as "the most unbelievable fire I've ever seen," recounting the harrowing traffic situation. "I spent all day moving these cars up on the hill, trying to [move them] so the fire trucks could get through," he said.

Chet Hanks shared on Instagram that "the neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground," while Chris Pratt expressed his gratitude to the firefighters and first responders battling the flames. He called them "true heroes" for their relentless efforts to protect lives, homes, and wildlife. Eugene Levy, the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, evacuated early Tuesday, describing the dark smoke that engulfed the area, which served as a stark reminder of the destructive power of these wildfires.