LOS ANGELES — Recent wildfires have devastated upscale communities across Los Angeles, reducing thousands of multi-million dollar mansions to ashes overnight. The disaster has left both ordinary residents and Hollywood celebrities grappling with sudden displacement and unimaginable loss.

As flames encroached upon the hills of Hollywood, the Pacific Palisades neighborhood — an enclave for billionaires and A-list stars — became ground zero for destruction. Over a thousand homes valued at $1.1 million or more were consumed by the relentless inferno.

Celebrities Flee as Flames Advance

Oscar-winning actor Ben Affleck was reportedly seen hastily evacuating, driving straight to the home of his ex-wife Jennifer Garner for refuge. Emmy Award-winning actor James Woods, appearing visibly shaken during a television interview, recounted his narrow escape: "One day I was by the pool, the next day everything was gone."

Socialite Paris Hilton live-streamed the heartbreaking moment her Malibu beachfront property turned to cinders. The blaze also destroyed a $20,000-per-month rental property belonging to Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Industry-Wide Disruptions

The mass evacuations created an unprecedented demand for luxury accommodations, with Beverly Hills hotels like The Peninsula, Four Seasons, and Waldorf Astoria reporting complete occupancy despite nightly rates exceeding $700.

The entertainment industry faced significant disruptions. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed its Oscar nominations announcement to January 19, while productions including "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "The Price Is Right" suspended filming. The 2025 Critics Choice Awards ceremony has been indefinitely delayed, underscoring the wildfire's far-reaching impact on Hollywood.

In the face of this tragedy, celebrities and residents alike share the same vulnerabilities — a stark reminder that disaster spares no one. While the material losses are staggering, the greater casualty may be the collective sense of security in an era of climate instability.