Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner joins relief efforts in Los Angeles as devastating wildfires continue to ravage the city and surrounding areas.
According to The US Sun, the Golden Globe winner revealed through tears that she lost a friend from her local church who "didn't get out on time" as the death toll from the LA wildfires reached 11.
The 52-year-old actress, who has lived in the Pacific Palisades area for 25 years, was seen volunteering with World Central Kitchen to provide meals for fire survivors and first responders. In an emotional interview with MSNBC, Garner spoke about the profound impact of the disaster on her community, including the loss of her Methodist church where her children attended Sunday school.
Unprecedented Scale of Destruction Leaves Thousands Homeless
The Palisades fire, now the largest inferno in LA's history, has consumed more than 21,000 acres and destroyed approximately 5,000 homes and structures. Six fires are currently burning across the region, with the Palisades fire only 8% contained despite extensive firefighting efforts.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed over 1,400 firefighters to combat the blazes, with additional support arriving from neighboring states. The economic impact is expected to be devastating, with private forecaster Accuweather estimating total damage and economic losses could reach $150 billion.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna described the affected areas as looking like "a bomb was dropped in them," declaring the situation a crisis. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for residents from Sunset Boulevard north to Encino Reservoir.
Celebrity Community Bears Heavy Toll From Raging Infernos
The fires have not discriminated between ordinary residents and the Hollywood elite, with several high-profile celebrities losing their homes to the flames. Supermodel Bella Hadid, Spencer Pratt, and Oscar winner Mel Gibson are among those whose properties have been destroyed.
Garner shared her perspective on the widespread devastation, stating:
My heart bleeds for all my friends. I can think of a hundred families and there are 5,000 homes lost. Without even thinking, I can write out a list of a hundred friends who lost their homes.
The fires have particularly affected the Pacific Palisades area, where Garner's ex-husband, Ben Affleck, was forced to evacuate his mansion. Some celebrities, including Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, narrowly escaped losing their homes to the flames.
LA Communities Unite In Face Of Unprecedented Crisis
The devastating wildfires have sparked a surge of community support and relief efforts. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an unexpected appearance at the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, serving food and distributing essential supplies to displaced residents.
Local authorities continue to battle multiple blazes across the region, including the Kenneth Fire in Calabasas and Hidden Hills, which is under investigation as a possible arson case. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Satellite imagery reveals entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble while emergency services struggle to contain the six active fires. The Palisades fire remains the largest, followed by the Eaton fire at 14,117 acres with only 3% containment.
Wildfires Reshape Los Angeles Landscape
The devastating LA wildfires have claimed 11 lives and destroyed 10,000 homes, with the Palisades fire emerging as the largest and most destructive blaze in the city's history. Jennifer Garner's personal loss and volunteer efforts highlight the human impact of this disaster, which has affected both ordinary residents and celebrities alike. As firefighting efforts continue and communities come together to support those affected, the full extent of the damage remains to be seen, with economic losses potentially reaching $150 billion.
