Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire ignited in the Santa Monica Mountains late Tuesday morning, impacting the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and forcing widespread evacuations. Actor Steve Guttenberg, known for roles in "Police Academy" and "Three Men and a Baby," has been actively assisting first responders and affected residents.
Guttenberg described the wildfire's impact as a "great equalizer," emphasizing that material possessions become insignificant when faced with such devastation. "It doesn't matter how much money you have, the size of your house, or the luxury of your car," he stated. "In the end, you're just another person evacuating with a small suitcase, seeking help and safety."
Guttenberg recounted his initial actions, which included helping firefighters move abandoned vehicles blocking access for emergency crews on Sunset Boulevard. He likened the scene to "Zombieland" with numerous deserted cars. He urged evacuating residents to leave their keys to facilitate moving the vehicles.
Guttenberg highlighted the unprecedented scale of the fire, stating, "This is the biggest fire we've ever seen in the Palisades. It's enormous and burning out of control in certain areas." He described the area as a "ghost town" with most residents evacuated.
Reflecting on the situation, Guttenberg expressed relief that his home survived, but shared his distress over the destruction of approximately 20 homes in his 80-home community. He and a small group of remaining residents are now working together, pooling resources like water, which is scarce, to support each other.
As of Thursday, both the Eaton and Palisades fires remained uncontained, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. The Eaton Fire has consumed 10,600 acres, while the Palisades Fire has scorched 17,234 acres. A smaller fire in Acton, spanning 348 acres, has been 40% contained. Firefighters have also halted the progression of the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills.
Around 180,000 people have been evacuated, and another 200,000 are under evacuation warnings. Guttenberg anticipates a wave of "depression and sadness" as the full impact of the disaster sets in. He encouraged those affected to seek support from loved ones, their faith, or any source of strength, reminding them they are not alone.
