Actor Steve Guttenberg on charred LA neighborhood: 'It’s like when someone dies suddenly'
Actor Steve Guttenberg weighed in on the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that have ravaged the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, billowing luxurious homes into grim ashes in its wake.
“Just this morning, I woke up and I was really conscious of my mental state and my mental health, because the last three days, I’ve seen so much tragedy,” Guttenberg told The Associated Press.
Although his home is still standing with electricity, running water is scarce.
He compared the unexpected disaster to the loss of a loved one.
“It’s like when someone dies suddenly,” the 66-year-old said. “It’s like when someone gets hit by a car. You never expect that to happen. That’s how shocking it was.”
Many other celebrities have been affected by the fires and opened up about their experience. Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton are among those who lost homes to the flames. President Biden's son, Hunter, was also affected.
“All these houses behind me burned to the ground where their families enjoyed wonderful times together with their friends and family,” Guttenberg said.
“There’s really a lot of pain going on right now," he continued. "I’m doing whatever I can to help alleviate it.”
The "Three Men and a Baby" actor also lauded the community’s humanity, found in considerate neighbors and first response teams that helped to evacuations people who were trapped. The fires have killed at least 10 people.
“Everybody’s going to do what regular people do: help each other, give each other food and water, help each other in their backyards, in their front yards,” he said.
“Even though somebody’s an actor, producer, writer, director, we’re all just people," he continued. "Maybe people can donate at one point to some sort of fund. But I just think, be a good neighbor right now.”
In a previous video, Guttenberg suggested the country employ the National Guard to help rescue teams.
California has already received help fighting fires from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has provided water bombers to douse flames and said his country is ready to deploy 250 firefighters. Other states, including Florida, have also pledged support.
Biden announced Thursday that the administration would also provide up to 180 days of assistance.