As wildfires wreak havoc across Los Angeles, engulfing neighbourhoods in Palisades and Altadena, Hollywood’s biggest names are stepping up to aid affected communities. From financial contributions to hands-on volunteering, celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Paris Hilton, Sharon Stone, and Halle Berry are mobilising to provide relief and support.
Jennifer Garner, a 25-year resident of the Palisades whose home was narrowly spared, joined forces with World Central Kitchen, led by renowned chef José Andrés. Garner spent a day volunteering, distributing meals from partner restaurants and food trucks. Reflecting on the tragedy, Garner expressed deep sorrow for her community, which has suffered unimaginable loss.
“My heart bleeds for my friends,” Garner shared in an MSNBC interview. “I can think of 100 families, and there are 5,000 homes lost. Without even thinking, I could write out a list of 100 friends who lost their homes.” Garner also revealed the personal toll of the wildfires, mourning the loss of a close friend from her Palisades Methodist Church who didn’t make it out in time.
Paris Hilton, whose Malibu beach house was among the 5,000 structures destroyed by the Palisades Fire, announced an emergency fund through her 11:11 Media Impact nonprofit. The fund, seeded with an initial $100,000 contribution and a pledge to match donations up to an additional $100,000, will aid displaced families, especially those with young children.
“As a mom, I can’t imagine the pain and fear of not having a safe place for your babies,” Hilton wrote on Instagram. Partnering with Baby2Baby and Sean Penn’s Community Organised Relief Effort (CORE), the fund is providing essentials, temporary housing, and support for local animal shelters. Hilton also plans to volunteer this weekend, urging others to join her. “Every dollar makes a difference,” she concluded.
Sharon Stone transformed the Beverly Boulevard boutique +COOP into a relief hub, calling for donations of gently used clothing, gift cards, and new hangers. The boutique now serves as a distribution centre, offering displaced families blankets, shoes, and clothes.
Halle Berry amplified Stone’s efforts by announcing on social media that she is donating her entire closet. “If you live in Southern California, I urge you to do the same,” Berry wrote. Michelle Pfeiffer also expressed her intent to contribute items to the cause.
In a unique collaboration, Uber has partnered with +COOP to deliver donations across Los Angeles, ensuring the supplies reach those in urgent need.
In a lighter moment amidst the crisis, actor Bill Hader surprised an ABC7 news team by offering to help cover the Palisades Fire. Reporter Josh Haskell recounted the encounter, describing how Hader, initially unrecognisable in a mask, volunteered to join their coverage efforts.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, visited the Eaton Fire evacuees in Pasadena, meeting with Mayor Victor Gordo and distributing food to displaced families. The couple also expressed gratitude to first responders for their bravery in combating the fires.
Jennifer Lopez has reportedly cancelled her media appearances to focus on wildfire relief efforts. Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis and her family pledged $1 million to support ongoing relief operations.
The Palisades and Eaton Fires have combined to burn over 35,000 acres, destroy more than 9,000 structures, and cause damages estimated at $52–57 billion. At least ten lives have been lost, and approximately 180,000 residents remain displaced. Containment efforts are ongoing, with the Palisades Fire at 8% containment and the Eaton Fire at just 3%.
Fuelled by Southern California’s excessively dry conditions and relentless Santa Ana winds, the wildfires are among the most destructive in state history.
