What began as small batches of fires in Los Angeles County have quickly become one of the most catastrophic wildfire events the Golden State has experienced. The wildfires have already caused over 35 casualties, and thousands of houses were destroyed or needed major restoration because of fire damage.
Among the 250,000 people affected throughout California includes some of Hollywood’s most influential celebrities, forcing them to evacuate and leave their residencies.
Here are some celebrities affected by the wildfires so far.
Kim Kardashian West
Kim Kardashian is a huge Hollywood A-lister, popularly known for her family’s hit reality TV show ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians.’ West was forced to leave her Hidden Hills property at Calabasas, after discovering the wildfire had reached her neighborhood and was out of control. Fortunately, firefighters have contained the fire, saving most of her family’s home.
Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor known for hit films such as 300 and Olympus Has Fallen. The actor’s home at Malibu got destroyed entirely right after the wildfires reached his neighborhood right before the day of his birthday. Despite this, Butler remained positive and praised California’s firefighters’ courage, spirit, and hard work to keep the Golden State safe.
Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner is one of the world’s most iconic and inspiring transgender women globally and is also a retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete. After the wildfires reached her house in the Malibu hills, she was forced to leave alongside her pets to a safe place. Fortunately, after a couple of days, she went back, confirming that despite her home getting scorched and fried, it mostly survived.
Lady Gaga
Stefani Germanotta, or commonly known as ‘Lady Gaga,’ is a famous singer and songwriter. The star was at her home when the wildfires reached her property, but responders quickly addressed the issue, saving most of her house. Because of their fast response and their ongoing fight with these fires, the singer called the emergency responders ‘true’ heroes.
Will Smith
Will Smith is an A-list actor known for several films, such as Suicide Squad and I Am Legend. The actor was with his family when the wildfires first spread through Los Angeles, where he brought his family to a safe place after hours of no response from authorities.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid is an American model that has lived in Malibu her whole life, and though her home was marked safe in the fires, her high school got burned to the ground along with other parts of the affluent town. She took her time to thank the firefighters and other emergency responders working hard to ensure the community’s safety.
LeBron James
LeBron James is a famous basketball player playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. During the fire outbreak, he evacuated his house and drove his kids and wife to a safe place. The athlete thanked the first responders for their hard work.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an A-list actor, was the former Governor of California, and a professional bodybuilder. He evacuated his home early in the morning, encouraging others not to screw around and get to a safe place. Luckily, the actor’s house didn’t burn down.
These celebrities are just among the hundreds and thousands of people affected by the crisis. The ongoing California fires have been labeled as one of the worst wildfires in Golden State history, burning over 150 homes, with officials expecting the number to rise.