Sarah Michelle Gellar and co-stars criticize LA mayor during Palisades Fire gridlock evacuations.

Over 1,000 homes are destroyed by Pacific Fire, prompting thousands of LA residents to evacuate amidst wildfires.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and co-stars criticize LA mayor during Palisades Fire gridlock evacuations.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and co-stars criticize LA mayor during Palisades Fire gridlock evacuations.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was criticized by Sarah Michelle Gellar as the Palisades Fire raged in Los Angeles.

Gellar wrote on Instagram stories, "City of LA, you want everyone to evacuate but there's complete gridlock and no traffic cops on the roads to help."

The Palisades Fire, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, started in the Santa Monica Mountains on Tuesday morning and rapidly consumed 200 acres in an hour, growing to almost 3,000 acres by sunset, according to FOX Weather.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Karen Bass amid Palisades Fire.
Sarah Michelle Gellar was one of many who criticized L.A. Mayor Karen Bass as fires roared through Los Angeles neighborhoods. (Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, a former "Dancing with the Stars" professional dancer, expressed his frustration on social media by writing, "The fifth largest economy in the world, yet firefighters lacked enough water pressure to perform their duties? Are you kidding me? The taxes we pay for third-world infrastructure are beyond belief! It's time to take action."

Sara Foster wrote on X, we pay the highest taxes in California. Our fire hydrants were empty. Our vegetation was overgrown, brush not cleared. Our reservoirs were emptied by our governor because tribal leaders wanted to save fish. Our fire department budget was cut by our mayor. But thank god drug addicts are getting their drug kits. @MayorOfLA @GavinNewsom RESIGN. Your far left policies have ruined our state. And also our party.

Jillian Michaels, a celebrity fitness trainer, criticized California's leadership while reflecting on losing her home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

"5th largest economy on the planet. Firefighters didn't have enough water pressure to do their jobs?! Are you joking me?! The taxes we pay for 3rd world infrastructure is unbelievable?!"  — Valentin Chmerkovskiy

"The mayor is reportedly in Ghana," she wrote. "The fire department's budget was reduced by 17 million. Additionally, it was decided not to refill some reservoirs, resulting in dry fire hydrants. California's leadership is clearly negligent. This is unacceptable."

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, admitted that they knew about the high fire risk on Sunday, but still called in the national guard a few hours ago. Pacific Palisades ran out of water at 3am, leaving many people upset. Michaels expressed their anger towards the situation, stating that it is not a partisan issue but rather an example of incompetence and misprioritization.

California Wildfires
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Valentin Chmerkovskiy respond online
Sarah Michelle Gellar and professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy criticized leadership response to the L.A. fires. (Instagram)

James Woods, who lost his home in the Palisades Fire, wrote on X that the blaze was not caused by "climate change" but by "liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass."

He stated that he lacks knowledge about fire management and the other cannot fill the water reservoirs. Woods spent the day preparing to evacuate his home and later informed his fans with a solemn update that he had lost his house in Pacific Palisades.

Steve Guttenberg assisted firefighters and moved stranded cars on Sunset Boulevard, as residents fled the fire, according to an exclusive interview with Planet Chronicle Digital. "It's like Zombieland," he said, describing the abandoned cars scattered throughout the street.

The Palisades Fire, which started near the southeast side of Palisades Drive, grew to about 200 acres and led to evacuation orders being issued.

Cars littered the road amid the Palisades Fire.
Vehicles are abandoned on the road after occupants got stuck in traffic while evacuating. (Getty Images)
Evacuating LA residents told 'get out of your car and run if you want to live'

Guttenberg, famous for his roles in "Police Academy" and "Three Men and a Baby," advised those abandoning their vehicles during evacuation to also leave their keys, allowing fire crews to access them.

"Guttenberg told Planet Chronicle Digital that people abandon their cars, causing a crisis, and they don't leave their keys in their cars. As a result, fire trucks can't get up the street because they have all these abandoned cars with no ability to move them. Guttenberg was helping out by moving cars and putting them up on the hill to clear the way for the fire department."

"I just wanted to see what I can do to help out some of my neighbors, but it's a ghost town." — Steve Guttenberg

The Palisades' biggest fire was observed by Guttenberg, who described it as "enormous."

"This is the largest fire we've had, and it's burning out of control in some areas. I managed to reach a safe spot, but it's a ghost town with everyone gone. The most important thing is to ensure everyone's safety during a big fire like this."

WATCH: Steve Guttenberg recalls helping fire crews during the Palisades fire.

Steve Guttenberg helps first responders fighting Palisades Fire
Cars are pictured in the aftermath of a Pacific Palisades inferno
Cars are pictured in the aftermath of a Pacific Palisades inferno on Jan. 7, 2025. (KTTV)

On Tuesday, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, both reality TV stars, confirmed that their home in the Palisades Fire was lost. Through a series of videos on Snapchat, "The Hills" star documented the fire's rapid movement over the hill and its approach to their property.

"Pratt remarked, "This isn't looking good," as he filmed the fire on the mountain behind his home. He had never seen the flames come over before. "Aw, man. OK, I'm going to go pack up, I think," he said."

Actor James Woods believes it's possible that his house is still intact.

Actor James Woods says 'it's possible' his house is still standing

He posted a video from his car showing their home burning down on their security cameras, and later shared a photo of his kid's room, which had burned in the shape of a heart.

Palisades Fire air tanker
An airtanker makes a drop on the Palisades Fire. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A screenshot of Spencer Pratt's Snapchat story showing his children's room had burned in the shape of a heart
Spencer Pratt shared imagery from inside his home, captured by security cameras. (Spencer Pratt Snapchat)
Chris Pratt soft smiles in a purple shirt and dark purple suit
Chris Pratt offered prayers to evacuees and those who weren't able to leave the fires. (Rodin Eckenroth/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

Chris Pratt on X requested that individuals pray for "the valiant firefighters who are giving so much to protect our homes and our community."

He wrote, "Jesus protect the lives of those fighting the flames and those unable to evacuate."

On Tuesday, Sandra Lee, a former Food Network personality, posted a series of pictures from Malibu on her social media. The next morning, she announced that she had lost her home.

Thank you for your well-wishes. I'm currently staying at a hotel. Unfortunately, my house has been destroyed and I no longer have a home. I've been crying all night, but I'm grateful that everyone is safe.

"I am unsure of what to say, how to organize my thoughts, and what action to take ... all the events of the past five years. Therefore, the only option I have is to go to work as usual today. I will attempt to rebuild my life, although I am uncertain of the process."

by Tracy Wright

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