The Story of How Jamie Lee Curtis Escaped the Wildfire Disaster in Los Angeles

Jamie Lee Curtis struggled to hold back tears as she recounted the devastating wildfire disaster in Los Angeles that left many people without their homes and belongings.

The Oscar-winning actress, 66, became emotional while discussing the ongoing blazes that have spread across the region — including her Pacific Palisades neighborhood — during her visit to The Tonight Show on Wednesday.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Jamie Lee Curtis sat down to share her harrowing experience of escaping the recent wildfire disaster in Los Angeles, USA. Before speaking, the actress appeared visibly shaken and fearful, trying her best to hold back her tears.

“As you all know, the place where I live is literally on fire. The entire city of Pacific Palisades has burned,” the Freaky Friday star recalled. “Everything is just terrible—it’s a true catastrophe in Southern California. There have been horrific fires breaking out everywhere. Many of my friends have lost their homes. It’s an absolutely devastating situation.”

Jamie Lee Curtis Accepts the Loss of Her Home

Like many of her friends, Jamie had to accept that her family’s home in Los Angeles had gone up in flames, beyond saving. However, the 66-year-old star remained strong, reassuring her family and friends that the most important thing was that everyone had made it out safely.

Celebrities’ Mansions Burnt to Ashes

“My entire community is on fire. Many of my friends have lost their homes, and other neighborhoods are facing the same fate. But my family is safe,” the actress reminded herself before offering advice: “Take care of each other, stay away from the fires, and let the firefighters do their job. Keep everyone in your prayers.”

The Emmy-winning actress was among tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate their homes and seek refuge from the dangerous blaze. Numerous celebrity mansions in the area were completely destroyed, leaving behind enormous losses.

The Last Showgirl star explained that she flew to New York City the night before and started to receive texts from others about the fires while on her flight. “It’s [bleeping] gnarly, you guys,” she said. “It’s just a catastrophe in Southern California.”

She continued, “This is literally where I live. Everything — the market I shop in, the schools my kids go to. Friends — many, many, many, many, many friends have now lost their homes. It’s a really awful situation.”

Curtis, who intends to return back to California on Thursday to be with her family and friends, then encouraged viewers to do what they can to support one another, like donating to the Red Cross. “Do anything you can, anything in your community to help people,” she said. “Whether you need it or not now, you will need it. Give blood, donate, whatever you can do. Animal shelters.”

She also implored others to make a household emergency kit. “I’m an American Red Cross ambassador. Have an emergency kit with prescription glasses, medicines, dog food, baby formula, all the things you need if you have to flee,” she concluded.

The Pacific Palisades fire has spread to more than 15,000 acres since it started on Tuesday morning, destroying over 300 structures and threatening an additional 13,306. The blaze, which is currently 0 percent contained, has prompted mandatory evacuations for residents and road closures. It is one of multiple wildfires throughout the area in addition to the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset fires.

Curtis also explained in an Instagram post on Thursday morning that, despite her initial fears, the house that she shares with husband Christopher Guest has remained safe amid the ongoing devastation. “My home is safe. My street is safe,” she wrote. “Flying to New York and hearing the beginnings of the stories of the fire was very challenging to be far away from my home and family and friends and feeling very powerless.”

She continued in part, “I leave New York City with the hopes and prayers and good thoughts from all in the East Coast as I return home to the best coast and my beloved City of Angels to help start to repair and rebuild.”

In a follow-up Instagram post, Curtis shared that she and her family will be donating $1 million dollars “to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there.” She added, “I’m in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact.”

Watch Curtis discuss the wildfires in the clip below.