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Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Kacey Musgraves and other artists expressed their heartbreak as first responders continue to battle wildfires in Southern California. Many stars also gathered lists of resources and other ways to help those impacted by the fire. California Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed “five dead, likely more,” as of publication time on Thursday morning (January 9). More than 100,000 residents in the area have evacuated.
For some artists, the devastation is personal.
Brett Young, who was born in Anaheim, California, said in a statement that he’s “sending love and prayers to everyone back home in SoCal dealing with these horrible fires. Our hearts are broken over this unbelievably sad devastation. incredibly thankful for all the firefighters and first responders risking their lives to protect.”
Abby Smyers, married to Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay, offered a list of resources and said she was “absolutely sick. Please pray for my family who lives nearby this new fire and my dearest friend who lost everything in the Palisades. I really don’t know what to say. This is all too much.”
Jessie James Decker witnessed the scene. She was working in Santa Monica, California, and returned home one day early when the team noticed the “eerie” smoke from the fires. Decker said in a video on her Instagram story on Wednesday (January 8), in part: “We were shooting at a house in Santa Monica, which was literally on the border to the Pacific Palisades. And we were on set, we were shooting, and all of a sudden someone from the team saw the smoke, because our house was on the beach that we were shooting (at), so we all ran out to the beach just to see what was going on. And I mean, it was just so eerie and trippy. The sky is filling up with dark smoke. You’re seeing the planes getting the water from the ocean. ...We just knew it was — I know there’s fires in California, but you just knew this was serious. …I’m just praying for everyone, and I hope everyone gets out safe.”
Brad Paisley remembered the first house he and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, bought together in Pacific Palisades. He wrote in a post on Wednesday evening, “that beautiful old house burned last night. As did most of that community. So many good people displaced, devastated and cast out all over LA.” The country star admitted he doesn’t know where to begin to find resources to help, but said he would post a link at a later date. “I'm sure those of you reading this will find some way to help if you can, but mostly right now I just want to mourn the loss of a town. And acknowledge the beauty and the memories of what it was.”
Other celebrities, including Eugene Levy, Anna Farris, Mark Hamill and Mandy Moore, to name a few, also lost their homes in the devastating wildfires.
Brian Kelley shared a post on his Instagram story by Convoy of Hope, a faith-based nonprofit organization that listed some essential relief supplies, including water, food, hygiene items and more. Kelley and his wife, Brittney Kelley, both said they’re praying for those impacted by the fires in the Los Angeles area. Other artists praying for California include Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany Aldean, Jana Kramer, Luke Combs' wife, Nicole Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Luke Bryan, RaeLynn and many more. Carly Pearce shared an ABC News shot of the “unreal” fires. The hummingbird singer-songwriter is “sending love to everyone affected by this devastation.”
“Sending out love, prayers and thoughts to everyone in southern CA dealing with these fires. Our hearts are broken,” McEntire wrote in a statement. “So thankful for all the firefighters, first responders and TV reporters risking their own safety to protect and keep us informed.” McEntire also shared a post from the Los Angeles Times that offers resources to help, including by donating time, money and materials. Resources listed by the news outlet include:
- American Red Cross
- California Fire Foundation
- Canine Rescue Club
- L.A. Fire Department Foundation
- GoFundMe
- Lagartijas Climbing Crú
- Set Active
- YMCA Koreatown locations
Maren Morris also shared the link to the L.A. Fire Department Foundation, in addition to a post by the Canine Rescue Club, which shares how to temporarily foster dogs displaced by the fires. Musgraves has offered resources on her Instagram story, including a PSA urging those in the area to be mindful of animals showing up in their yards as they flee from the wildfires. The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection advised residents to bring pets safely indoors and consider leaving water for the exhausted wildlife fleeing the area. Musgraves also shared information to get help at Planet Fitness locations (access to showers, WiFi, charging stations, etc.), free temporary housing from Airbnb for displaced L.A. residents (dial 2-1-1 or go to 211LA.org), and a list of open evacuation centers:
- Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd in Los Angeles, California
- Agoura Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 29525 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills
- Pierce College Equestrian Center (Large Animal Shelter), 6201 Winnetka Ave in Woodland Hills
Musgraves included another post on her Instagram story with ways to donate:
- Community Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund
- California Fire Foundation
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
- World Central Kitchen