More than 30,000 people have been evacuated from the coastal area of Los Angeles known as Pacific Palisades after two wildfires erupted there on Tuesday evening, fueled by strong winds.
The head of the Los Angeles Fire Department stated that the fire poses a threat to 10,000 homes in the area between Malibu and Santa Monica, where many celebrities reside.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who declared a state of emergency, reported that during his visit to the affected area, he observed "many structures already destroyed by the flames", though he noted that it is still too early to assess the full extent of the damage.
According to local media, several people have been injured, with some suffering burns to their faces and hands. A female firefighter sustained a head injury.
On Wednesday morning, emergency services reported a third fire spreading north of Pasadena, leading to the evacuation of about a hundred residents from a nursing home.
The fire has toppled several trees on the grounds of the Getty Villa, which houses ancient art. According to the head of the Getty Foundation, Katherine Fleming, the collection remains intact, largely due to preventive measures taken to trim shrubs around the buildings.
The disaster area is home to several Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Bradley Cooper, Tom Hanks, and Reese Witherspoon. Celebrities have been sharing their experiences on social media.
Actor James Woods ("Once Upon a Time in America," "Breakdown," "Casino") wrote that he managed to evacuate but added: "At this point, I do not know if our house survived".
Mark Hamill from "Star Wars" reported that he was able to leave his home "at the last minute".
Due to the fires, roads have become congested, with some abandoning their cars and fleeing on foot.
Premieres of the films "The Expendables" from Amazon MGM and "Wolfman" from Universal, scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles, have been canceled due to the fires.
The SAG Awards ceremony, originally planned for Wednesday, will be held online, according to a statement from the organization.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he and his team are in contact with state authorities and offered "any federal assistance" necessary to combat the fires and address the aftermath of the disaster.