At least 5 people have died in California; film industry events were also postponed
The government of California, in the United States, declared a state of emergency due to the fires affecting the Los Angeles area – especially the region called Pacific Palisades, where several celebrities live. The president of the country, (Democratic Party) issued a decree on Wednesday (8 January 2025) recognizing that there was a disaster of major proportions in the State.
Among the celebrities who had to leave their homes are Ben Affleck, Mark Hamill, Billy Crystal, Eugene Levy and John Goodman. The Los Angeles Walk of Fame, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city, went on yellow evacuation alert on Wednesday (8 January) due to the fire in the Hollywood Mountains. More than 1,400 firefighters are working to control the flames.
Biden canceled at the last minute a trip he was going to take to Italy, before the inauguration of Donald Trump (Republican Party) as the country’s chief executive. According to the White House, the decision is so that the Democrat can focus on “lead the entire federal response” to fires.
The new fires in Los Angeles, which has around 10 million inhabitants, have already burned 10,000 hectares, according to local authorities. At least 5 people died. Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate because of the rapid advance of the fire.
The fire started on Tuesday (7 January) in Pacific Palisades, a mountainous neighborhood in Los Angeles. Celebrities who live in the area, such as Billy Crystal, Eugene Levy and John Goodman, had their homes completely destroyed by fire, according to the TMZ. Several hotels in Los Angeles are filled to capacity as the demand for shelter by people who have evacuated their homes has increased.
Actor Mark Hamill, via social media, who left his home because of the fire.
James Woods posted videos of the flames approaching his home.
Our deck three minutes ago.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods)
According to the TMZactor Ben Affleck and socialite Paris Hilton also had to leave their homes.
Cinema-related events were postponed because of the flames. The 2025 Oscar nominations have been postponed by the Hollywood Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. As a result, the voting period for nominees, which would end on the 12th, should continue until the 14th.
“We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in Southern California”, says the message sent by the Academy to its members, signed by the executive president, Bill Kramer. “So many of our team members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area. We are thinking of you”he declared.
The Critics Choice Awards also had to be postponed. The 2025 awards, which were scheduled for January 12th, were rescheduled for the 26th of this month. The releases of “The last showgirl”, “Lobisomem” e “Better Man – The Robbie Williams Story” their release dates were also changed.
The participation of the Brazilian actress in the program “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was canceled because of the fires in Los Angeles. The interview would be held this Thursday (9th Jan) and has not yet been rescheduled. THE talk show it would also feature the presence of actor Thimothée Chalamet.
