Mark Hamill on LA Fires and How He Evacuated Malibu Home

“Luke Skywalker” Mark Hamill is among the people who have evacuated Malibu amid the wildfires that are raging across parts of Los Angeles. The Star Wars actor shared on Instagram how he and his family left their home amid the spreading blaze.

Starting in Pacific Palisades, one of Los Angeles’ toniest neighborhoods, the fires overnight also hit parts of Malibu and Santa Monica. The three fires, as of Wednesday morning, were zero percent contained, per the L.A. Fire Department.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night, as Santa Monica and Malibu published evacuation orders.

“7pm – Evacuated Malibu so last-minute there (were) small fires on both sides of the road as we approached PCH,” Hamill posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday night. The PCH is the Pacific Coast Highway.

At 8:15 p.m., Hamilton, wife Marilou York and their dog Trixie arrived at their daughter “Chelsea’s house in Hollywood,” he added. “Most horrific fire since ’93,” he concluded, expressing hope that other people would also “stay safe.”

Other Hollywood stars have also taken to social media to share first-hand accounts about the blaze and its impact. Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, as well as James Woods shared on social media that they lost their homes.

Woods posted a video on X, writing: “I took this last night from our beautiful little home in the Palisades. Now all the fire alarms are going off at once remotely.” And he added: “It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.”

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Pratt’s sister Stephanie posted a photo of him with fire in the background on Instagram, sharing: “I am beyond heartbroken for my brother, Heidi & the kids. And to all of our friends and neighbors who have lost their houses today.”

Shrinking star Christa Miller, who is married to the show’s co-creator Bill Lawrence, said she was evacuating and shared a drone image of the fires raging in the distance. “Evacuating, love, prayers and gratitude to all the firefighters working so hard. This is all so heartbreaking.”

Meanwhile, actor Steve Guttenberg appeared on CNN Tuesday night after spending all day helping people stranded on the PCH, of which the scenic route from Malibu to Santa Monica is now closed. He called the blaze in Pacific Palisades, of which he is a resident, “the most unbelievable fire I’ve ever seen.”

There were “mothers who were having panic attacks [and] little kids crying,” he also shared. “The cars were bumper-to-bumper traffic for over two miles and it was dangerous, the police were coming.” Concluded Guttenberg: “I spent all day moving these cars up on the hill, trying to [move them] so the fire trucks could get through.”

Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son, posted on his Instagram stories that “the neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground.” Avengers star Chris Pratt thanked the “brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.”

Schitt’s Creek comedian Eugene Levy, who is the current honorary mayor of the Pacific Palisades, evacuated the area early Tuesday, telling The Los Angeles Times, “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon … the smoke was very dark.”

The Palisades Fire also engulfed Palisades Charter High School, a school that has long been a popular location for Hollywood productions, including Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, Danny Steinmann’s 1984 teen vigilante movie Savage Streets, the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday, the Teen Wolf TV series, Nima Nourizadeh’s 2012 film Project X, and the 2001 teen rom-com Crazy/Beautiful.

The grounds of the iconic Getty Villa caught fire’ the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club was engulfed on Tuesday, as was the Pierson Playhouse (aka Theatre Palisades). The Reel Inn, a longstanding seafood restaurant, was also reportedly engulfed in flames.

Several schools in the area will be closed on Wednesday, as several neighborhoods in L.A. were left without power on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Zoo closed midday Tuesday and President Biden canceled plans to travel to Riverside County, which is adjacent to Los Angeles County.

Events throughout Hollywood were also canceled for premieres planned for both Tuesday and Wednesday night, including Amazon MGM Studios’ Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez, Universal’s Wolf Man, starring Julia Garner and Christopher Abbott, and Paramount Pictures’ Better Man; as well as screenings for Netflix’s Emilia Peréz, Sony Pictures Classics’ I’m Still Here.

The SAG Awards nominations, which were due to be announced live and in person Wednesday morning, will now be shared via press release and the SAG Awards website.

The damage and smoke engulfing the Palisades has been described as “apocalyptic,” with one local field reporter noting its resemblance to a movie set. The Associated Press reported that about 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders.

Jan. 8, 5:20 a.m.: Updated with news of James Woods and Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag losing their homes.