From the Spotlight to Evacuation Zones: Reality TV Stars Share Their Wildfire Experiences

As Los Angeles grapples with an intense wildfire crisis, numerous high-profile reality TV personalities have been forced to evacuate their homes, as wildfires ravage parts of the city. Starting on January 7, a massive fire broke out in the Pacific Palisades, prompting widespread evacuations. Many celebrities have shared their personal experiences on social media, offering a glimpse into the chaos, anxiety, and uncertainty surrounding the natural disaster. Among the evacuated were some of the most recognizable faces in reality TV, including Gabby Windey, Chrishell Stause, Katie Thurston, and more.

The Wildfires: A Growing Threat

The wildfire started in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 7, and quickly spread, threatening neighborhoods and forcing thousands of residents to flee. The region, known for its picturesque views and upscale homes, is also a hotbed for many celebrities and reality TV stars. The destructive flames, fanned by strong winds and dry conditions, put the city on high alert, with emergency responders scrambling to control the blaze. As the fire continued to burn, it led to evacuations across multiple areas, including Malibu, Topanga, and the Pacific Palisades.

Reality TV stars, who often live in close proximity to these high-risk areas, found themselves in the eye of the storm. Many have shared harrowing tales of evacuation, uncertain outcomes, and the emotional toll of leaving behind their homes.

Gabby Windey’s Harrowing Evacuation

Gabby Windey, best known for her role in The Traitors season 3, was one of the first to reveal her evacuation experience. In an Instagram Story post on the morning of January 8, Windey shared that she and her girlfriend, Robby Hoffman, had to evacuate their home early that morning due to heavy smoke and power outages.

“We evacuated at 4 a.m. due to heavy smoke and no power,” Windey wrote, adding that she felt “incredibly lucky” to have a safe place to go. “Praying for everyone losing their homes, firefighters, medical staff, and patients.” Windey’s words echoed the sentiment of many who were affected by the wildfires—relief for their safety mixed with profound sorrow for the devastation surrounding them.

Chrishell Stause’s Immediate Evacuation

Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause also found herself facing the immediate threat of the fire. Late on the night of January 8, Stause took to Instagram to update her followers. “Me, G [Flip], and Gracie are safe and out of the house,” Stause wrote, referring to her spouse and their pet dog. “There was an immediate evacuation in my neighborhood, and we had to leave quickly.”

Stause, who has been a fixture in the Los Angeles entertainment scene, expressed her relief at making it out safely, while also recognizing the gravity of the situation. As the fire raged on, she joined other stars in urging fans to stay safe and follow evacuation orders. Her words reflected the urgency of the situation, as many others struggled to do the same.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s Loss

For The Hills stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, the wildfires hit close to home in a devastating way. The couple, who had evacuated with their children, Gunner and Ryker, early on, later learned that their home had been completely destroyed in the blaze. Montag shared her emotional experience on TikTok, revealing how overwhelming it was to pack in such a frantic situation.

“The craziest thing about packing for a fire is your brain just freaks out,” Montag said in the video. “It’s so overwhelming packing up a house. I only have two pairs of jeans, two shirts. I got so much more clothes for the kids. I’m like, ‘Why didn’t I grab more?’ Thankfully, I grabbed anything, and that’s such a blessing, and the main thing is that we’re safe.”

Sadly, Pratt’s parents also faced a devastating loss as their own home was destroyed in the fire. The couple watched the destruction unfold via security footage after their evacuation, further highlighting the traumatic impact of the wildfire on residents in the area.

Katie Thurston’s Heartbreaking Evacuation

Katie Thurston, a former Bachelorette, also shared her evacuation story with her Instagram followers. Thurston, who was in Los Angeles with her fiancé Jeff Arcuri for one of his comedy shows, was jolted awake by the growing danger. “My heart goes out to those impacted by the fires here in L.A. County,” she wrote on Instagram on January 8. “Waking up this morning and seeing all the updates breaks my heart. I couldn’t sleep this morning hearing the constant emergency vehicles and strong winds and realizing just 10 miles away, destruction is happening.”

Thurston, who has remained a strong advocate for mental health and awareness, admitted feeling a sense of helplessness during this challenging time. She packed a go-bag and waited for confirmation that she and Arcuri needed to leave. As they eventually left town for the safety of San Diego, Thurston expressed gratitude for being able to get away, but her thoughts remained with the people directly impacted by the fires.

Julianne Hough’s Nervous Drive Out of Los Angeles

Julianne Hough, host of Dancing with the Stars, shared her own anxious experience of evacuating the city. As she explained in an Instagram video, the fire was dangerously close to her home. “The reason I say evacuate now, even if it’s not close to you, is because there’s traffic, and you’re gonna be stuck in traffic,” Hough explained. “That is not good. So, everybody please be safe and send prayers to all the first responders and firefighters.”

Hough, accompanied by her dog Sunny, made the decision to leave her home as soon as possible, understanding the dire nature of the situation. While her concern for others was palpable, her decision to leave early helped avoid any further risk. The emotional toll of witnessing the disaster, compounded with the chaos of evacuation, was felt by many, including Hough, who expressed her deep concern for those still in the danger zone.

The Larger Impact of the Fires

The wildfires in Los Angeles have brought the city to a standstill, with widespread evacuations, property losses, and uncertainty about what lies ahead. Reality TV stars, who often share their lives publicly, have been especially vocal about their experiences, providing their followers with a firsthand account of the challenges they’ve faced during this crisis.

As the fire continues to rage across the region, many of these stars have expressed a sense of gratitude for their safety while mourning the losses of their friends, neighbors, and fellow residents. Their stories serve as a reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of those affected by such disasters.

For those who evacuated, the emotional toll remains high, but the hope is that the brave efforts of the firefighters and emergency personnel will bring an end to the destruction. Until then, the reality stars who have shared their experiences continue to inspire others to stay safe, remain vigilant, and support those in need during this heartbreaking crisis.

As the fire continues to burn, the Los Angeles community remains strong, and together, they will rebuild—just as these stars and countless others will rise from this tragedy.