As Los Angeles residents continue to evacuate the area, attention has turned to the horrific extent of the damage left behind by the raging wildfire.
At least two people have died in the wind-driven California flames, which have destroyed structures across the Pacific Palisades and surrounding area.
The historic neighbourhood is home to many celebrities who, along with 30,000 other residents, have been asked to evacuate as the fire continues to reduce everything to ashes.
Follow the latest news on the Los Angeles wildfires on our live blog
Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck were both seen checking on their homes after being forced to evacuate the area.
Police had closed off the area on Sunset Boulevard, but allowed the Shrinking actor, 82, to check on his Brentwood estate that he purchased for $12.6 million in 2011.
The actor appeared to be alone as he checked on the property and looked concerned as he was seen inspecting the area.
Ben Affleck, who had been evacuated from the area and was sheltering from the fires with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, returned to check on his property.
The actor was seen checking on the $20.5 million Pacific Palisades mansion that he purchased in July.
The actor purchased the home following his split from Jennifer Lopez, the couple previously shared a $60 million, 38,000 square foot Georgian mansion.
Wearing a pair of grey jeans and a khaki hooded jacket, the Good Will Hunting actor checked in on neighbours and was seen hugging an acquaintance after hopping out of his SUV.
The home of Adam Brody and Leighton Meester has been ‘burned to the ground’ just days after the couple were last seen in public together.
According to TMZ, the $6.5million (£5.2m) property was ‘reduced to rubble and ash’ as ‘black smoke’ rose from the wreckage.
Shocking pictures said to be of their home show a building with its roof and top floor completely missing while the downstairs is still burning.
The acting couple purchased the home in 2019, living there with their two children, who they keep largely out of the spotlight.
At the time of the purchase, reports revealed the home was over 6,000 square feet and featured five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Just days before, Leighton and Adam had been at the Golden Globes after his nomination for best actor in a television comedy.
The Nobody Wants This star and his wife — best known for Gossip Girl — have not confirmed the reports.
TMZ also claims actress Anna Faris has lost her home, reporting that her ‘whole block was levelled by the fire’.
Ricki Lake confirmed her home had been ‘lost’ to the fires, saying farewell to her ‘dream’ in a series of photos on Instagram.
‘I can’t believe I am typing these words. After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home,’ she wrote.
Buffy icon Sarah Michelle Gellar posted on her Instagram story that there was ‘complete gridlock’ as residents evacuated yesterday but did not confirm if her and husband Freddie Prinze Jr’s home was impacted.
Busted’s James Bourne gave a short update on X and simply said: ‘Ok I’m evacuating’.
He had previously shared the ‘fires on [his] street have been put out’ and stated they were electrical after a ‘major explosion’ on his street.
The wildfire is now thought to be the worst in the city’s history as over 1,000 structures have been destroyed — previously this title was held by 2008’s Sayre Fire in Sylmar which impacted 604 structures.
A United Methodist Church, attended by Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, also caught fire with huge flames billowing from the roof.
Among the other destroyed buildings is Palisades Charter High School — a popular filming location for many Hollywood movies including Carrie and Freaky Friday.
NBC Los Angeles reported on Tuesday night that the fire spread through several buildings at the PCHS campus. Earlier in the day, the school announced its closure due to the fire.
In 1976 horror film Carrie the school was called Bates High School, while it also appeared in 1984 film Savage Streets, 2012 movie Project X , the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, 2001 romcom Crazy/Beautiful, and TV series Teen Wolf.
It also has many notable alumni including will.i.am, J.J. Abrams, and Jennifer Jason Lee.
Residents living in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, home to numerous celebrities, were told ‘don’t wait, evacuate’ by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services as the blaze burned more than 1,200 acres within the first five hours.
‘Los Angeles is currently experiencing an extreme fire weather condition with red flag alert,’ the Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during a press briefing.
‘The fire is being fueled by a combination of strong winds and surrounding topography, which is making it extremely challenging for our personnel that are assigned to this incident.’
Major events have been called off at the last minute too, with a US premiere of the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man cancelled due to the ‘dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles’, according to US media outlets.
On Wednesday evening, Deadline reported that the Critics Choice Awards which were due to take place on Sunday at the Santa Monica Airport Barker hanger had been pushed back to Sunday January 26.
The Oscars voting has also been extended by two days as a result of the fires, with nominations announcements now coming on January 19, with the Academy ‘offering deepest condolences’.
Ryan Gosling-produced Wolf Man, starring Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott, and the premiere of Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez, were also cancelled.
‘Tonight’s premiere of Wolf Man is cancelled due to sensitivities around the worsening weather situation in LA and related evacuations,’ a Universal spokesperson told the PA news agency.
The SAG Awards, a reliable indicator for the Oscars, also cancelled their live nominations announcement event hosted by actors Joey King and Cooper Koch.
Which celebrities live in Pacific Palisades?
With Mandy Moore safely evacuated, and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag’s family home engulfed by the flames, many will be wondering who else has been affected by the Califoria wildfire.
Pacific Palisades is an affluent area of LA and one of the most expensive real estate locations in the US. Given the area’s wealth, it is home to lots of celebrities.
Celebrities who live in Pacific Palisades include Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Miles Teller, Kawhi Leonard, Eugene Levy and Jhene Aiko.
Instead, the nominations were unveiled via press release and on the awards website, with a statement from the awards organisers ‘urgingeveryone to stay safe.’
CBS News National Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti has called scenes in the area ‘apocalyptic’ while sharing a video of fires blazing on lawns.
He said: ‘This is not typical wildfire season. Last year around this time we were covering an atmospheric river. Apocalyptic. And sadly the Palisades Fire has only just begun.’
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are among others who have lost their homes with sources telling TMZ that The Hills stars’ home was completely destroyed after catching fire on Tuesday.
Spencer was pictured looking on at the blaze mournfully from a distance. According to the Mail, Spencer was watching the fire approach his family home when the photos were taken.
Thankfully the couple and their two sons are safe, as they were able to evacuate earlier in the day before the flames got to their home.
Spencer took to social media to document firefighters in a plane dropping water in a nearby mountain, as smoke billowed into the sky.
Among the stars evacuating was US actor James Woods, who shared security camera footage on X of flames engulfing a nearby home and at the bottom of his balcony.
‘We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out…Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD,’ the Golden Globe and two-time Emmy-winning actor wrote.
Mandy Moore also revealed that she didn’t know if her home in Pasadena, some areas of which have been under mandatory evacuation orders, was still standing after seeking refuge with friends.
‘Grateful for the kindness of friends that we had a place to land last night,’ she posted on Instagram. ‘Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel.’
The 40-year-old is also mum to son August, three, and newborn daughter Louise with husband Taylor Goldsmith, 39.
‘Praying for everyone in our beautiful city,’ she continued. ‘So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don’t know if our place made it.’
Star Wars actor Mark Hamill has also said he was evacuated from Malibu, heading to his daughter Chelsea’s house in Hollywood with his wife Marilou and their dog Trixie.
In an Instagram post, he said: ‘Personal Fire Update: 7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).’
‘8:15pm – Marilou, Trixie & I arrive at Chelsea’s house in Hollywood. Most horrific fire since ’93. Stay safe.’
Ben Affleck looked shocked as he watched the blaze from his car while driving on Sunset Boulevard.
Police Academy actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in the Pacific Palisades, urged people who abandoned their cars to leave their keys behind so they could be moved to make way for fire trucks.
‘This is not a parking lot,’ he told KTLA. ‘I have friends up there and they can’t evacuate… I’m walking up there as far as I can moving cars.’
Tom Hanks’ son Chet Hanks, 34, has shared a devastated message on social media, writing: ‘The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn. Pray for Palisades.’
Chris Pratt thanked the firefighters for tackling the blaze in a social media post, writing on X: ‘Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires.
‘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. Let’s all come together to support one another during this tough time.’
Khloe Kardashian took to Instagram also thanking the first responders, saying: ‘Thank you for your unwavering dedication and courage in the face of these devastating fires in CA. Your selflessness, resilience, and tireless efforts to protect lives and communities are deeply appreciated.’
She went on: ‘You are true heroes, and we are incredibly grateful for all you do. Please know that your sacrifice does not go unnoticed, and we stand with you in gratitude and support. Praying strongly that these winds die down and no more homes are lost Lord. Praying for everyone’s safety. This is so sad and scary!’
EastEnders star Patsy Palmer said her heart was ‘broken’ and brain is ‘fried’ after looking at the ‘devastating scenes’ in her hometown of LA.
‘I just returned home to my home intact after the fires a couple of weeks ago and left on Saturday back to work in the UK and now this. My family are safe but lots of my friends have lost their homes again which is extremely traumatic. Being here so far away is really really hard.
‘I’m praying and crying as I write this. I’m helpless here but praying hard. Please reach out if you need anything. Richard and kids are there safe and evacuated. This is huge . Really wasn’t expecting this. Heartbroken. Stay safe.’
Meanwhile, Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland wrote in an Instagram Story: ‘Lord. Please cover us all during this time! This is heartbreaking! And please send us a miracle! In Jesus’ mighty name… Amen.’
During the press briefing, Governor Gavin Newsom thanked US President Joe Biden for offering help with a state of emergency declared.
‘By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods,’ Governor Newsom said, suggesting the highest winds were forecast overnight.
Plumes of thick black smoke billowed over miles of traffic jams as residents attempted to flee, with authorities bringing in bulldozers to unblock roads from abandoned vehicles, according to US reports.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Fire Department said in a statement: ‘People in the area of Palisades need to evacuate now due to a rapidly moving wildfire.
‘Pack all people and pets into your vehicle and leave the area immediately. If you are not in the mandatory evacuation zone, stay off the roads to allow first responders and evacuees to move quickly.’
More Trending
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said southern California is facing a ‘critical’ weather event as ‘strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity’ were causing ‘extreme wildfire risks”.
Forecasters from the National Weather Service for Los Angeles warned of ‘life-threatening, destructive’ gusts that could last for days, bringing extreme fire risk to areas that have not seen substantial rain for many months.
It comes less than a month after residents in Malibu were evacuated from a wind-driven blaze dubbed the Franklin Fire, which saw more than 4,000 acres burn and stars including Dick Van Dyke, Cher and Jane Seymour forced to leave their homes.
Metro has contacted Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s representatives for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Power Rangers star sentenced to prison after assaulting elderly man
MORE: Brooke Shields horrified after surgeon performs vaginal rejuvenation without her consent
MORE: Is it safe to travel to Los Angeles? Latest advice as wildfires ravage through California
