It’s going to be a while before California fully recovers from the devastating wildfires that started Nov. 9. In the meantime, as authorities try to keep the fires contained, celebrities are doing their best to lend their support.
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Rising temperatures due to climate change have made forests much drier, leading to an uptick in wildfires. The three monstrous California wildfires — Camp, Woolsey, and Hill — have already claimed thousands of homes and dozens of lives. Camp Fire, which set off in Northern California’s city of Paradise, is now the deadliest wildfire in California history, according to CBS News. It reached a death toll of 48 Wednesday — contributing to a statewide death toll of 50.
Here’s how celebrities, some whose lives have been directly impacted by the disaster, have already started helping the affected communities rebuild.
Lady Gaga Delivered Pizza to a Shelter
Gaga was one of 250,000 people who evacuated their homes this weekend. After having to leave her house in Malibu, she stopped by a Red Cross shelter at the Pacific Palisades High School on Sunday, Delish reports. She brought pizza, coffee, and gift cards over to evacuees affected by the Woolsey fire. While she was there, Gaga serenaded a 98-year-old woman who was displaced from her home and encouraged people to seek mental health counseling.
"What I can tell you is that I will pray for each and every one of you. You will be in my thoughts. I extend my love to each and every one of you. I know we do not know each other, but I love you. This is an emergency but you are not alone,” Gaga told the evacuees.
Thousands of #California residents are displaced due to the wildfires. And on Tuesday, #LadyGaga delivered pizza to one of the many Red Cross evacuation centers in LA 🙏🏽🙌🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/JolvgLoXUO
— HONEY GERMAN (@HoneyGerman) November 14, 2018
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth Donated $500,000 to Rebuild Malibu
Cyrus and Hemsworth lost their Malibu home in the Woolsey Fire and are now advocating for others to support the beach city community. The Woolsey Fire has demolished at least 97,000 acres, but it’s still only 40% contained, the New York Times reported.
“Their community and state are very special to them and they want to give back to the place that has created so many beautiful memories for themselves and others," a spokesperson for Cyrus told AP.
They donated $500,000 to the Malibu Foundation, an organization set up to help the devastated area rebuild, and it will be used to aid those in financial need and provide emergency relief assistance, as well as toward wildfire prevention and climate change resilience, according to the statement.
To donate: https://t.co/5b89O28mRghttps://t.co/Ec7ImhMOf3https://t.co/KXrqZt1MBghttps://t.co/AZ7zBnCWtkhttps://t.co/IAvkynLgX6https://t.co/bTYYVgw76Phttps://t.co/E0wvq7SKJJ
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 12, 2018
Read More: 15 Photos of California's Wildfires That Show the Devastation of Climate Change
Guy Fieri Served Meals to First Responders
Fieri visited law enforcement officers at a staging area in Butte County, California, for officials fighting the Camp Fire, according to USA Today. Fieri lives in Santa Rosa, which suffered devastating fire loses in 2017. The celebrity chef reportedly served pulled pork and sides.
Guy Fieri made a surprise visit to serve dinner to everyone at the law enforcement staging area at Butte College. Thank you so much Guy for filling our bellies and lifting our spirits. #ButteSheriff#CampFirepic.twitter.com/ZnhNxOa81n
— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) November 12, 2018
Sandra Bullock Donated $100,000 to Help Animal Victims
Bullock donated to the Humane Society of Ventura County, which is on the ground helping animal wildfire victims in Southern California, according to USA Today.
“The Humane Society of Ventura County was deeply humbled today by a $100,000 donation from Sandra Bullock and family,” the organization wrote in a press release. “This donation will help the HSVC provide 24/7 care for the scores of horses, bulls, donkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and other pets evacuated from the fires," it explained.
This afternoon the Humane Society of Ventura County Animal Rescue Team brought back to the shelter 9 donkeys, 3 goats, 1 pig, 3 bunnies, 20 chickens, and a tortoise from the burn areas in the Malibu area. Staff and our... https://t.co/WFz2VdQjVE
— Humane Society of VC (@HSVC_OJAI) November 12, 2018
Dave Grohl Volunteered to Feed Firefighters
Musician Dave Grohl donated his time to serve firefighters from Fire Station 68 in Calabasas, California, trying to contain the Woolsey fire, located just north of Los Angeles. Grohl brought the team meals from his restaurant Backbeat BBQ.