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Joe Rogan's past warnings about the wildfire risks in Los Angeles have resurfaced as Southern California faces devastating blazes.
The podcaster, who relocated from California to Texas in 2020, frequently discussed the potential for catastrophic fires on his show, The Joe Rogan Experience.
Rogan, 57, shared personal experiences of being evacuated multiple times due to wildfires. In a July episode with comedian Sam Morril, he recalled: "I was evacuated three times from my house from fires. Last one, two houses in front of my house burned to the ground."
He described the experience as "f**king scary," noting that he and his family chose to leave before evacuation orders were issued. The fire ultimately destroyed 40 houses in his neighborhood.
A conversation with a Los Angeles firefighter particularly impacted Rogan. The firefighter warned: "One day, it's just going to be the right wind, and fire's gonna start in the right place, and it's going to burn through LA all the way to the ocean, ... ."
This insight, highlighting the city's reliance on favorable winds to prevent uncontrollable fires, was shared by Rogan in multiple episodes over the years.
These discussions have gained renewed attention as Los Angeles confronts severe wildfires. The current blazes have led to approximately 100,000 residents being evacuated, with nearly 27,000 acres burned and significant property damage reported.
Rogan's relocation to Texas was influenced by various factors, including California's wildfire threat and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His reflections on the state's challenges continue to resonate, especially as Los Angeles grapples with the ongoing crisis.
As the devastating wildfires continue to blaze across Los Angeles, some celebrities have been forced out of their homes.
The wildfires raging across the state have prompted over 137,000 evacuations, including residents of the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Officials confirm that at least six major fires are currently active, causing widespread destruction and forcing several Hollywood celebrities, including Paris Hilton, to flee their homes.
According to the Associated Press, the fires have claimed at least five lives and destroyed over 1,000 buildings.
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Mel Gibson has revealed that he discovered his house was destroyed in the California wildfires while he was out of town recording a podcast with Joe Rogan.
A series of severe wildfires have swept through the Los Angeles area, ravaging communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department has disclosed that there are at least 11 fatalities, per The Guardian. Five of those deaths were due to the Palisades fire, and the other six resulted from the Eaton fire.
Officials warned that they expect a rise in the death toll as cadaver dogs search through leveled neighborhoods in an area larger than San Francisco.
They also added that identifying victims could take weeks due to ongoing fires, extreme safety hazards, and the potential unavailability of identification methods like fingerprinting or visual recognition.
The destructive wildfires, which also include the Hurst, Lidia, and Kenneth blazes, have impacted many people from all walks of life, from ordinary members of the public to high-profile celebrities like Gibson, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, and Billy Crystal.
The Academy-award-winning actor, 69, appeared on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation to open up about how the horrific event has affected him.
He shared that he was recording The Joe Rogan Experience in Austin, Texas, when he found out that his $23.5 million mansion “completely toasted," describing the loss as both "devastating" and "emotional".
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson said. “It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years, so it was home to me.”
The Mad Max star expressed the pain of losing personal items, including photographs, files, and irreplaceable mementos collected over the years. “I had a lot of personal things there that I can’t get back,” he shared.
Still, Gibson remained focused on what truly mattered. “That can all be replaced. These are only things,” he said.
"The good news is that those in my family and those I love are all well, and we’re all happy and healthy and out of harm’s way," he added.
While on Rogan’s podcast, Gibson didn’t hold back his criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of wildfire prevention and ecological management.
Many have questioned why the LA official was not better prepared for this disaster, given the ample warnings of strong winds.
“I think Newsom said, ‘I’m going to take care of the forest and maintain the forest and do all that kind of stuff’ he didn’t do anything,” Gibson said during the two-hour conversation.
Rogan, 57, expressed concern about reports of water shortages affecting firefighters battling the blazes, stating: "And on top of that, they cut the water off."
“I think all our tax dollars probably went for Gavin’s hair gel,” the Braveheart actor quipped. "It’s sad. The place is just on fire.”
The blazes erupted on Tuesday (January 7), driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, which subsided on Thursday (January 9). However, forecasters warn of potential wind gusts returning later this weekend.
Over 180,000 residents were forced to evacuate the area, as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires, which have burned thousands of acres and buildings.
While the exact causes of these fires are still under investigation, authorities have made an arrest in connection with the Kenneth Fire.
Mel Gibson has been met with backlash from social media users after discussing a conspiracy theory on live TV regarding the Los Angeles wildfires.
The 69-year-old actor revealed over the weekend that he had lost his Malibu home in the blaze after it succumbed to the flames while he was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Speaking on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation, Gibson revealed he was in Austin, Texas, when he found out that his multi-million dollar mansion was “completely toasted" ,describing the loss as both "devastating" and "emotional".
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson said. “It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years, so it was home to me.”
Now, Gibson has appeared on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle to speak about a conspiracy theory that even he admitted was "insane".
He told the host: "I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while. California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things."
Gibson then asked the questions, "Is it on purpose?" and "Do they want the state empty?"
The actor then admitted he was guilty of concocting "horrible theories" about the fires in his mind, adding: "I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water."
"And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires," Gibson continued. "And are they commissioned to do so or acting on their own volition? I don’t know. But they seem pretty well equipped these people that they are catching."
During their discussion, Ingraham said: "Well, now there's already talk. And we played a couple of soundbites. Of re-imagining the way rebuilding occurs.
"And obviously there's a great need for high-density housing in California and across the country. That's a big push by the climate folks. And you're already hearing rumblings of that. In this case, like goodbye single-family homes. Hello high-density housing!"
In response to the segment, viewers took to X to bash the actor's baseless claims.
"Conspiracy theories are his last claims to fame," one person wrote, with another adding: "The has been is now an expert on water reserves."
A third tweeted: "I will never watch another movie with him in it."
"Mel needs a rest," one viewer responded, with another simply writing: "Shameful."
The fires remain one of the most destructive and costly disasters in US history.
At least 16 people have lost their lives — 11 in the Eaton Fire and five in the Palisades Fire. Thirteen others remain missing, as of this writing.
As firefighters continue to contain the blazes, officials have issued critical health and safety warnings to the public:
Water Safety: Residents in and around Pacific Palisades have been advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination from the fires. Bottled water is being distributed at Westwood Recreation Centre and Brentwood Country Club.
Air Quality: The LA County Public Health Department has urged residents to avoid using power blowers like leaf blowers to limit exposure to ash, smoke, and particulate matter worsened by the fires and windstorm conditions.
Ocean Waters: Authorities have also warned against swimming, surfing, or playing in ocean waters between Surfrider Beach and Dockweiler State Beach, covering a 20-mile stretch. “People entering these waters could become ill,” the department stated.
Meanwhile, early estimates suggest that recovery efforts in the Los Angeles area could cost upwards of $150 billion, per AccuWeather.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by this unfolding tragedy.
An ABC News reporter has shared her devastation after the dream home she'd finally purchased burned to the ground just one day after she moved in.
The Los Angeles wildfires have caused massive devastation across the region, wiping out thousands of structures and costing at least 25 lives.
The battle is ongoing to get the wildfires under control, with strong winds in the area having contributed to the spread of the blaze, as well as dry conditions.
ABC News reporter Zohreen Shah revealed that she was one of the many that had lost their homes in the blaze, having just moved into her dream house with her husband a day before it burned to the ground.
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Taking to Instagram, Shah shared photos of what was left of the "magical" property the couple had spent years searching for, as well as snaps of it in happier times before the devastating blaze.
She wrote: "I lost my home in the fires. It’s a total loss. We started moving in last week. Over and over, I told Rishi I couldn’t believe this sanctuary was ours. We spent one night there. Just one.
"It was perfect. It was magical. We dreamed of retiring in that same home. Just five minutes from PCH, yet it felt like another planet.
"Deer walked up to the home, the birds sounded like a tropical island, and the ocean view was the California dream. We had peach, nectarine, lemon, and avocado trees—and a small enclosure for lettuce and strawberries, safe from wildlife."
She revealed that her husband had spent the past six years hunting for the perfect property, which he found in November, and they closed on Christmas Eve.
Shah explained why the purchase of the house meant so much to her, adding: "Growing up, my parents didn’t own a home.
"Like so many, I worked, saved, and sacrificed with the dream of having what my parents didn’t have. I cook most meals at home, I haven’t had kids yet, and I don’t travel for fun. Because of this, over years, I saved enough for 20% of our down payment. I was so proud.
"And then - just like that - after years of working and saving, it was gone. Friends say we can now make it the way we want. But to me, it was already perfect."
She admitted: "I have to be honest. As much as I’m determined to rebuild with Rishi, we are also so damn sad.
"I know we are very lucky - we are safe. But I ping-pong between feeling like a stronger, wiser version of myself and curling up into a scared, 4-year-old version. I’m also scared because this isn’t even over."
Shah added that they are still in limbo waiting to hear from their insurance company, and aware that it will take "so long" to rebuild after the devastation.
"This journey is personal," she added. "I hope when people see me on TV or TikTok, they know they’re watching someone who saw her dream home turn to rubble - and is fighting to build it back again."
As of the time of writing, the Pacific Palisades fire - which claimed Shah's home and many others - had burned over 23,700 acres and is just 18 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
A resurfaced clip shows a psychic eerily predicting Ricki Lake's home would burn in a fire, a chilling premonition that tragically came true months later.
The chaotic California wildfires, which began on Tuesday (January 7), have caused widespread devastation in the state.
Officials disclosed that at least 16 people have died as the fast-moving blazes have forced approximately 180,000 residents to evacuate their properties, per CNN. As of this writing, 13 people have been reported missing and unaccounted for.
According to The Independent, the Palisade and Eaton fires, two of the most significant blazes, have consumed nearly 39,000 acres of land and destroyed 10,000 homes and other structures.
A significant number of Hollywood celebrities have also been impacted by the ferocious flames that have ravaged Los Angeles.
Among those who have suffered in Ricki Lake, who revealed earlier this week that she and her husband Ross Burningham's "dream home" fell victim to the Palisades Fire, the largest of the Southern California fires.
"After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home. This description ‘dream home’ doesn’t suffice. It was our heaven on earth. The place where we planned to grow old together," she wrote.
The Hairspray star went on to call the loss an “immeasurable” one as the property was also where she tied the knot with Burningham in 2022.
“I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event,” she said, sharing pictures of the house. “Praying for all of my neighbors, my friends, my community, the animals, the firefighters and first responders.”
On Saturday (January 11), the Cry-baby actress took to Instagram once again to share a chilling resurfaced clip from her appearance on Tyler Henry's Netflix series, Live From the Other Side with Tyler Henry, back in October.
In the video, the Hollywood medium told the 56-year-old and her husband that he "saw" a house fire and "loss of material objects".
"There might end up being a coincidence where not only do we lose something... Trying to think how to articulate this without it sounding concerning," Henry, 28 said. "I think this may have already happened."
Watch the clip below:
"If there was a loss of material objects from both fire and water - and water though - that's the kind of weird distinction. It's two separate things," he continued. "So we're going to end up finding that there's a story where, like, there was a house fire or something along those lines," he added to a seemingly concerned Lake.
Nearly three months after the unsettling interview, Lake lost her home. In the caption of her latest post, Lake expressed shock that Henry seemed to have seen the impending destruction of their property.
"The great @tylerhenrymedium called it," she penned. "Less than three months ago, on Oct 15th, 2024 Ross and I were on Tyler's show, and guys, he SAW the fire.
"The show is on @netflix. I urge you to watch it. #livefromtheothersidewithtylerhenry Omg."
"Praying for all those impacted by this ongoing nightmare, including my new friend, @tylerhenrymedium and @rachaelharris whose homes I hear may be at risk," she added.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that more than 7,500 local, state, and federal firefighting personnel and 1,200 fire trucks have been deployed to protect the communities.
"We are putting all available resources behind fighting these wildfires, including leveraging local and federal assets. California has thousands of boots on the ground working to combat these fires. The state is leaving no stone unturned to protect California communities," he said.
Per The Independent, President Joe Biden informed California officials to “spare no expense,” and shared that the federal government will cover “100 percent of the cost” for the next 180 days.
As the devastating wildfires continue to blaze across Los Angeles, some celebrities have been forced out of their homes.
The wildfires raging across the state have prompted over 137,000 evacuations, including residents of the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Officials confirm that at least six major fires are currently active, causing widespread destruction and forcing several Hollywood celebrities, including Paris Hilton, to flee their homes.
According to the Associated Press, the fires have claimed at least five lives and destroyed over 1,000 buildings.
Residents in the affected areas were evacuated under apocalyptic conditions, with wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph.
The winds grounded firefighting aircraft on Tuesday night but operations resumed the following morning, offering some hope in the battle against the devastation.
Among those affected are a number of high-profile Hollywood figures who shared their heartbreak and updates on social media, per BBC News.
Billy Crystal
Actor Billy Crystal revealed that his family home, which he and his wife Janice had lived in since 1979, was reduced to rubble, apart from the tennis courts.
In a statement, Crystal said: “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here.
"Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill, known for portraying Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, described his evacuation from Malibu as “last-minute”. He noted seeing “small fires” on both sides of the road as he escaped to the Pacific Coast Highway. Hamill called it the “most horrific fire” he had witnessed in over 30 years.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis also evacuated her home. On Instagram, she wrote: “My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well. There are so many conflicting reports. With all the technology there seems to be very little information. PLEASE POST FACTS! IT WILL HELP THOSE WONDERING!”
In a later update, Curtis confirmed her home was safe.
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton shared her devastation on Instagram after losing her Malibu home.
“Heartbroken beyond words. Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.
“This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.
“While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family is safe. My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires.
“To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets. My heart aches for those still in harm’s way or mourning greater losses. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking.”
Other stars confirmed to have lost their homes include:
Officials have attributed the fires’ intensity to strong winds and prolonged drought, exacerbated by climate change.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration emphasized that increased heat and dry conditions are key factors in the growing frequency of wildfires in the western United States.
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