The raging wildfires in Los Angeles County and its surrounding areas have claimed at least 10 lives and engulfed nearly ten thousand buildings. Mel Gibson, the acclaimed director who has won five Academy Awards, revealed during an interview that his residence in Los Angeles was reduced to ashes by the wildfires while he was recording a podcast with Joe Rogan in Texas.
In Los Angeles, the five wildfires have been burning since the 7th and continued into the night of the 10th, marking the third day of the fire outbreak. According to Reuters, officials in Los Angeles County stated that the wildfires have already resulted in at least 10 deaths, with the death toll expected to rise further as the fires have destroyed approximately 10,000 homes and structures. The Pacific Palisades Fire in the Beverly Crest community between Santa Monica and Malibu, as well as the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, have become the most destructive wildfires in the history of Los Angeles. The combined area burnt by these two wildfires has exceeded 13,750 hectares, leaving many communities in Los Angeles in ashes.
As reported by the BBC News, Mel Gibson, the Oscar-winning director, disclosed that his home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires while he was recording Joe Rogan’s podcast in Austin, Texas.
Mel Gibson lamented that his property in Malibu was “completely destroyed.” The 69-year-old actor expressed shock and sadness, stating, “It’s just alarming, it’s sad. You live there for a long time, and you have all your stuff, and it’s all turned to ash now.” During the interview, he also criticized the crisis management approach of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Earlier reports revealed that Hollywood celebrities who lost their mansions in the wildfires include Emmy winner James Woods, actors Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Anna Faris, and Cary Elwes, among ten others.
Mel Gibson, who serves as a director, actor, and producer, won five Academy Awards for his 1995 film “Braveheart.” His notable works include acting in the “Mad Max” film series and “Lethal Weapon,” as well as directing “The Passion of the Christ.”