Washington [US], January 11: Pop star Britney Spears has provided an update to her fans and followers after being forced to evacuate her home due to the ongoing deadly wildfires in Los Angeles this week.
Spears shared on Instagram that she had to leave her residence and was driving for four hours to reach a hotel for safety. In her post, she wrote, “I had to evacuate my home and I’m driving 4 hours to a hotel,” while expressing her concern for others affected by the fires. She added, “I pray you’re all doing well and I send my love !!!” alongside a video of mini doll shoes.
The singer also revealed that she had been without electricity for the past few days, preventing her from using her phone. “I wasn’t the past two days because I had no electricity to charge and I just got my phone back !!!” she explained.
Other prominent figures have also been affected by the wildfires. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Ricki Lake, Anna Faris, and Jamie Lee Curtis have shared their experiences, with some losing their homes. Curtis, whose home is in Pacific Palisades, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and shared that she lost not only her local market but also homes of friends and schools to the fires. She urged the public to help with relief efforts, stating, “Do anything you can… Give blood, donate, whatever you can do.”
Ricki Lake, who also lost her home, posted an emotional message on Instagram, writing, “This loss is immeasurable. It’s the spot where we got married 3 years ago. I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event.”
At least 11 people have died in the wildfire crisis in Southern California, according to officials, and the threat of more destruction remains. Firefighters received a brief respite as the strong Santa Ana winds temporarily weakened, but the winds are expected to pick up again. Meanwhile, authorities reported that at least 18 people have been arrested on charges like looting and identity theft.
The Los Angeles Fire Department issued a mandatory evacuation order on Saturday. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on X that the evacuation order was in effect for the Palisades Fire area, stretching from Sunset Blvd North to Encino Reservoir, and from the 405 Freeway West to Mandeville Canyon.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that he would launch an independent investigation to address concerns about firefighters running out of water early in their efforts, calling it “deeply troubling.” The largest fire, the Palisades fire between Santa Monica and Malibu, was 8 percent contained by Friday, while the Eaton fire near Altadena and Pasadena was 3 percent contained. Both fires are now among the five most destructive fires in California’s history.
Governor Newsom also informed that the Lidia Fire is 98 percent contained across 395 acres. President Joe Biden acknowledged that while the winds have calmed, they remain a threat until next week. He reassured that efforts to fully extinguish the fires would continue around the clock.