Steve Guttenberg helps evacuate neighbors impacted by wildfires
3 min read
Steve Guttenberg helped first responders fighting the Palisades Fire. (Getty Images)
Steve Guttenberg, the actor best known for his roles in Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby, demonstrated true heroism when wildfires threatened his neighborhood in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles County. Rather than just watching from a distance, Guttenberg took immediate action to help those in need during the devastating fires.
Speaking to CNN’s Laura Coates on Tuesday night, Guttenberg described the rapid escalation of the fire. “I haven’t seen anything like this in my entire life,” he said. “At 9 o’clock in the morning, it was an idyllic Pacific Palisades, and by 10 o’clock, the sky was dark as if it were nighttime.” The fires, which have ravaged parts of Los Angeles County, brought heavy smoke, unpredictable flames, and evacuation orders for thousands of residents.
Earlier in the day, Guttenberg spoke with KTLA as he worked to clear abandoned cars in the area, which were blocking evacuations. “There are people stuck up there,” he said, describing his efforts to move cars along Palisades Drive to allow others to escape. “There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people that really need help.”
While trying to return home, Guttenberg encountered gridlock and chaos on the roads. He got out of his car to offer assistance. “There were mothers who were hysterical [having] panic attacks, helping them with their suitcases,” he said. Many of them were concerned about their families who couldn’t evacuate in time. “There were little kids crying, and people who couldn’t speak English, driving their friends’ or bosses’ cars, trying to be careful where they drove.”
As the fire spread closer, evacuation orders intensified, and some residents had to abandon their vehicles and evacuate on foot. Guttenberg dedicated the entire day to clearing cars so firetrucks could pass through. “This is the most unbelievable fire I’ve ever seen,” he said. His efforts were part of the larger community response, as neighbors helped each other to escape the threat of the fire.
Guttenberg’s actions were mirrored by other celebrities also affected by the wildfires. Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, shared on Instagram that he was evacuated from Malibu with his wife and dog. “Most horrific fire since ’93,” Hamill wrote, urging others to “stay safe.” He had to make a last-minute escape, passing through flames on both sides of the road as they left their home.
Actor James Woods also found himself in the path of the fire. He posted a video showing the view from his home in the Pacific Palisades, just before flames reached it. “Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely,” Woods wrote, adding, “It tests your soul, losing everything at once.” Woods was later interviewed on CNN, where he shared an emotional story about his niece. She had brought her piggy bank to him, wanting to help rebuild their home. Woods became visibly emotional as he spoke about his niece’s heartfelt gesture.
Meanwhile, parts of Pacific Palisades High School, a famous filming location for movies like Carrie and Freaky Friday, were engulfed in flames. As of Wednesday, the Palisades Fire had spread to more than 15,000 acres, with no containment in sight.
Reality star Spencer Pratt, who is married to Heidi Montag, also posted a heartbreaking update on social media. Their home, along with his parents’ house, had burned down in the fire. Pratt shared a photo of their children’s room on fire, showing the devastating toll the blaze had taken on his family.
Despite the chaos and destruction, Guttenberg remained focused on the importance of community during a crisis. “I think this is a really important time for us to remember that we’re not only a street, a block, a town, a city, a state, a country, a world, we are one big community,” he said. “When a crisis occurs, everybody realizes that cars, jewels, none of this matters. What matters is people.”
Guttenberg’s actions serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience that can emerge from difficult situations, as well as the importance of coming together in the face of adversity. His selfless efforts to help evacuate his neighbors reflect a deep commitment to his community, showing that true heroism is not limited to the roles played on the screen.
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