We've been closely following the wind-swept wildfires in the Los Angeles area over the past 24 hours, which have left at least two people dead, many evacuated to safety, and thousands of homes and other structures completely lost to the ravaging flames. Here was one glimpse into the tragedy we wrote about on Tuesday afternoon local time:
Video and images from the affected area are abundant on X. Actor James Woods' home is in the path of the fire and after confirming that his family is out and safe, he has been sharing footage from security cameras at the home.
We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD. pic.twitter.com/bdsSJmvQel
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025
Please see Susie Moore's story (linked below) for more details and clips.
As my colleague Bob Hoge, who lives in Southern California, wrote earlier on Wednesday, one of those people who expressed his gratitude for the selfless work by first responders and fire personnel was Hollywood superstar Chris Pratt.
Scary Stuff in SoCal
Mass Evacuations in California As Wind-Driven Wildfire Scorches Pacific Palisades
As readers might know, quick-spreading fires are not uncommon in California. In December 2024, I shared entertainment legend Dick Van Dyke's story on his gratitude toward firefighters and neighbors, during his own close call as his family was forced to evacuate in the path of a raging wildfire.
Speaking of the firefighters, RedState wrote up a beautiful tribute to not only the Los Angeles crews, but the many times these heroes across the country have shown great care and reverence for one of America's most important symbols.
MUST-SEE: California Firefighters Do the Most 'Merica' Thing Ever in Midst of Devastating Fires
Now there's an emotion-filled update from conservative and actor James Woods, who spoke to CNN's "Newsroom" program about his family's harrowing experience while escaping from the fires.
But it was the actor's humble request for forgiveness over his being overwhelmed when recounting a story connected to the ordeal, about a young family member's sweet, "from the mouths of babes" moment, that moved the host to offer comfort-- reassuring him that his emotional response was only human.
While I could type out the interaction, it's most affecting if you just watch it play out as it happened.
Watch:
Actor James Woods breaks down in tears as he describes the fires in Los Angeles:
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 8, 2025
"One day you're swimming in the pool and the next day it's all gone...I'm sorry, I'm usually....I thought I'd be stronger than this."
God bless you, @RealJamesWoods pic.twitter.com/seMmIooJK9
That's the natural way to treat anyone dealing with stress over a disaster. Good to see this from members of the media, for sure. And sort of sad that it's remarkable for them to act that way.
Unfortunately, the troubling effects of the fires are far from over for the residents there.
Just after 3 p.m. PST Wednesday, KTLA reported that as many as four million customers are without power, and that the largest tally of homes lost so far in the flres could number in the hundreds--with a staggering 1.9 million suffering power outages--in Pacific Palisades
Widespread power outages in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties were impacting more than 4 million customers at 2:30 p.m., according to the California Office of Emergency Services.
Los Angeles County, where the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire destroyed hundreds of homes, had the largest share of power outages, with nearly 1.9 million customers impacted.
UPDATE: A diligent reader gave us a heads up that the CNN anchor who showed such compassion for Woods in his time of trial is Pamela Brown. Join me in thanking God for the people during this crisis who are reaching out with renewed humanity and love to their neighbors--and strangers who need it right now.
As this is a developing story, RedState will keep you informed when more information is released.
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