CELEBS FLEE FIRES
Panic in California
Some of the worst wildfires in history have caused chaos across vast areas around Los Angeles, including wealthy, starstudded neighbourhoods. Former state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, basketball superstar LeBron James and English actress Kate Beckinsale all had to abandon their homes in the middle of the night as strong winds spread the fires at breakneck speed.
Beckinsale thanked neighbours who
helped her escape with her four pets including an epileptic cat. Schwarzenegger tweeted simply: “Don’t screw around. Get out!”
The $47 million mansion Maroon 5’s Adam Levine bought from Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner in January came within a whisker of being razed as fire swept through Pacific Palisades, where Reese Witherspoon and director J.J. Abrams also live.
The house that newlyweds Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger are having built also narrowly escaped damage.
Nearly two million people lost power and more than 200,000 people were ordered to leave their homes as the flames destroyed millions trees across an area of over 800 square kilometres.
LeBron James sent a taco truck to feed firefighters to thank them for saving his property. Former wrestler John Cena, whose coming movie is called
Playing with Fire, donated $740,000 to the first responders.
Meanwhile Sarah Michelle Gellar was amazed to bump into her Cruel Intentions co-star Selma Blair when both were forced out of their homes.
“I left my house on Monday at 3am, with the clothes on my back (since been washed don’t worry) and my family,” she said. “I’m definitely scared and emotional, but then I get a surprise of @selmablair and now I can’t stop smiling.” Sofia Richie was widely criticised after sharing a photo of herself with untidy hair with the caption “Santa Ana
“Don’t screw around. Get out!”
— Schwarzenegger
winds – messy bun”.
The model, who has dated Scott Disick for two years, was instantly bagged out by fans who called her remark grossly insensitive. As the backlash grew, she frantically backpedalled, posting: “Sending my love and prayers to everyone affected by the fires.”
As the fires continued to burn on Sunday, President Donald Trump criticised Democratic governor Gavin Newsom’s response and threatened to withhold aid.
He tweeted: “Every year, as the fire’s (sic) rage & California burns, it is the same thing – and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor.”
Critics accused him of playing politics with a natural disaster and pointed out that more than half of the forest in the state is federally owned, and 40 per cent is owned by private companies. Only 3 per cent is controlled by the state.
Newsom responded: “You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation.”
Last year, fires in California killed 86 people and destroyed Hollywood homes belonging to Miley Cyrus, Kim Basinger, Gerard Butler, Pierce Brosnan, Neil Young and Robin Thicke.