Once again, California wildfires are threatening homes. A fast growing fire started in Montecito, California, which is in the hills above Santa Barbara. Today, Oprah talked about the wildfires, which threaten her own neighborhood. Other celebrities who have homes in Montecito are Carol Burnett, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Costner, Ellen DeGeneres, Michael Douglas, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rob Lowe, Christopher Lloyd, and Steve Martin.
Oprah said “All our prayers are with all the folks and neighbors in Santa Barbara. Hope you’re well today. And those of you who lost your homes, our hearts go out to you.” An Oprah rep said that currently, her $50 million dollar home has not been affected by the blaze. Actor Rob Lowe called into the show to tell Oprah about how he and his family had to evacuate their home. He said “This thing came in so fast, you couldn’t believe it.” Fortunately, he and his family made it out and right now, their house is okay. Lowe did say that he saw 12 or 13 homes burn to the ground.
So far, a total of 200 homes in Montecito have been burned with 1 death occurring. Twenty-five hundred acres of land has been destroyed by the fire. Santa Barbara County has been declared in a state of emergency by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Approximately 1,500 homes are still in danger as authorities are saying the fire is not contained.
The multi-million dollar home of actor Christopher Lloyd, who is on location in Vancouver right now, sustained major damage. A rep from Sotheby’s International Reality, who sells home in the area, said the home’s caretaker had to flee for his life.
Right now, the neighborhood near San Ysidro Road and East Valley Road, where Oprah’s home is located, has not been included in the mandatory evacuation. However, a dispatcher for the Montecito Fire Department warned that winds are high and “anything is possible.”