LOS ANGELES — Wildfires tearing through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles have compelled numerous celebrities, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods, to evacuate their homes. The fires are wreaking havoc, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee while authorities struggle with impassable roadways and strained resources as flames remain uncontained (source: AP News).

Located along the coast and referenced in the Beach Boys' 1960s classic “Surfin’ USA,” the Pacific Palisades area is home to many high-profile personalities. With about 30,000 residents under evacuation orders and estimates of 13,000 structures threatened, it is indeed a chaotic situation. Hamill shared on Instagram about his last-minute evacuation, citing “small fires on both sides of the road” while heading to the Pacific Coast Highway (source: SFGate).

Among the stars whose homes were lost are Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton. Elwes expressed his gratitude for safety despite losing his family home to the fire. Hilton highlighted the emotional toll of losing her residence where many memories were made (source: South China Morning Post).

The destruction also impacted multiple film premieres and award events, with studios cancelling significant productions and delaying the Oscar nominations process to accommodate those affected by the fires. For instance, the Screen Actors Guild Awards modified their announcements, and several events, including the Critics Choice Awards, were postponed (source: South China Morning Post).

Woods shared alarming footage of the approaching flames via social media, stating that it "tests your soul, losing everything at once." Moore, while looking after her children and pets, expressed concern over the destruction and uncertainty regarding her home’s fate (source: SFGate).

As the fires continue to burn through popular hiking areas like Temescal Canyon and threaten numerous historic sites, residents and celebrities alike hope for a swift and safe resolution. The Los Angeles Unified School District also announced temporary relocations for students from affected campuses, showcasing the profound community impact of this disaster (source: AP News).