Posted on 11/24/2007 4:37:19 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Celebrities flee, homes gutted as wildfire ravages Malibu Nov 24 05:47 PM US/Eastern Hollywood stars were among nearly 10,000 people forced to flee as wind-driven wildfires tore through the celebrity enclave of Malibu on Saturday, gutting at least 35 multi-million dollar homes and threatening hundreds more, officials and reports said.
Fires erupted at around 3:30 am (1130 GMT) officials said, spreading rapidly through tinder-dry brush as winds packing gusts of up to 50 mph fanned the inferno, the second major blaze to hit Malibu in the space of a month.
By 10:30 am (1830 GMT), around 2,200 acres had been scorched as the flames burned unchecked, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
Around 1,700 firefighters had been deployed to tackle the fires, backed up by 23 aircraft including water-dropping helicopters and a DC-10 which was pummeling the infernos with flame retardant.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky told a press conference 10,000 residents had been evacuated. Only one injury had been reported so far, a firefighter who received burns which were not thought serious, he added.
Local media reports said actors Matthew McConaughey and Minnie Driver were among those forced to evacuate while Red Hot Chili Peppers bass guitarist Flea's home was destroyed by the flames.
Yaroslavsky said winds blowing across the region had begun to ease later Saturday, offering encouragement to firefighters. However he warned the situation could change rapidly.
"It's a very dynamic and dangerous situation," he told reporters. "The winds have died down but we need to caution everyone that winds can start again in a hurry. It does not mean people are out of danger.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Flea had to flee?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Flea fled? Where’s Fred?
Flea fled. Fred’s dead.
Hopefully, this will remind everyone affected that "things" aren't as important as people.
So sad. Prayers go out to all.
Dear me. Are we to assume that these extravagantly rich celebrities didn’t fire proof the area around their homes? But celebrities are so intelligent and well-qualified to tell the rest of us about politics and global warming. I don’t understand how they let this happen!
Flea Fled Flames
See Flea Flee
Flee Flea Flee
Flea Found Friends
Friends Followed Flea
Fleas Friends Found Flea Fleeing Flames.
Offering a room to Matthew!
A Flea and a Fly in a flue
Were trapped! OH, What could they do?
Said the Fly, "Let us flee!"
Said the Flea, "Let us fly!"
So they flew through a flaw in the flue.
One of the reasons those outside the U.S. don't like us, is for this very reason you are demonstrating. People can't look at wealth and say, "Good for them."
The Left should be ashamed of themselves for being stupid, but please people...don't follow them down that path.
“The Rich and Famous subjected to the caprice of Mother Nature? WRONG! Its all Bush’s fault”
I guess for some it might be fun to laugh at Malibu homeowners and landowners. I am one of them, and I am hurting. Have a good laugh.
The fortunate news for these celebs is, they can afford to rebuild and replace their losses. When wildfires hit my area (almost yearly lately), people lose almost everything yet give thanks that they didn’t lose their lives. Funny, no teevee coverage on major networks to cover those poignant moments. But Minnie Driver loses one of her (probably) several houses? Hold the presses!
Cinder blocks and concrete then you clear out the dead brush and infested dying trees. Got a tree sitter at the top of the tree protesting? Just start up the ol’ chain saw and start cuttin’.
Morgana, I’m with you. Californians constantly try to do everything they can to thwart wildfire prevention in their misguided efforts to “save the planet.” Now they’re paying the stupidity tax, and it’s a really big bill.
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