A 'miracle' in the flames: Hollywood actor James Woods' home survives LA wildfire

Hollywood ator James Woods is counting his blessings after his house in Pacific Palisades managed to survive the devastating Los Angeles wildfire that has ravaged much of the area. "A miracle has happened," Woods posted on X (formerly Twitter) Friday with a video clip of the disaster. "We managed to get to our property and our home, that we were told is gone forever, is still standing."

Woods acknowledged that while his home remains intact, it wasn’t untouched by the fire. "In this hellish landscape, 'standing' is relative," he said, noting that while his house is still there, it has been damaged by smoke and other effects, which is far less severe than the complete destruction surrounding it.

Earlier in the week, Woods was among the hundreds of thousands in Los Angeles forced to evacuate as wildfires rapidly spread across the city. Convinced his house would be lost, he posted updates on X, sharing images of the charred remnants of homes around him. "So many beautiful messages from all of you," Woods later tweeted. "I’m so happy and grateful, but honestly, the entire area looks like the dark side of the moon."



Sadly, many celebrities weren’t so lucky. Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and other high-profile figures have confirmed their homes were either destroyed or severely damaged in the fires. The catastrophic wildfires have claimed at least 11 lives and obliterated thousands of structures and vehicles.

As the fires continue to rage, the Palisades Fire, the largest of the six wildfires burning across Los Angeles County, shifted directions on Saturday, triggering new evacuation orders. Firefighters are battling intense conditions, with the Santa Ana winds that fuelled the flames easing only slightly on Friday night. The Palisades Fire is now threatening nearby neighbourhoods, including Brentwood and the San Fernando Valley foothills, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The toll is expected to rise as firefighters continue to conduct house-to-house searches. With more destruction expected, the challenges for both residents and firefighters remain immense.