If you have been watching the news or scrolling on social media in the last week, then you probably know that the Los Angeles area is under siege from devastating wildfires, leaving countless families displaced and communities in ruins.
The Pacific Palisades Fire has scorched nearly 24,000 acres and is 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire has burned just over 14,000 acres and is 27% contained.
Over 150,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed. The death toll stands at 16, though it is expected to rise.
More than 26,000 acres have been consumed by flames, making this the most catastrophic fire in Los Angeles history. Entire communities have been reduced to ashes, and many people have lost everything. To make matters worse, the Santa Ana winds are fueling the fires.
Among those impacted by this ongoing crisis is Mandy Moore, the beloved star of Disney’s Tangled (2010) and This Is Us.
Related: Disney Celebrities Displaced Following Devastating LA Fire Incident
As Moore attempts to navigate her own personal loss, her decision to share a GoFundMe post for her family has sparked unexpected backlash on social media.
Mandy Moore’s home in Altadena, California, was among those severely affected. Although the main structure of her house remains intact, her family suffered extensive losses.
Moore shared a heartfelt Instagram post, describing the destruction:
We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss. Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. It’s not livable but mostly intact. We lost Taylor and griffin’s studio with every instrument and piece of equipment they’ve ever owned. We lost our garage and back house. Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends. Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support. Thanks for everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong.
Her message included a note of gratitude for her community’s resilience, ending with the hopeful declaration, “Altadena strong.”
View this post on Instagram
Related: Disney Makes Emotional Pledge After Thousands of Structures Destroyed, Cast Members Displaced
A Family in Need
In addition to her own losses, Moore’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law lost their home entirely. The couple, who are expecting their first child in just a few weeks, now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
A family friend created a GoFundMe to assist them, which Moore chose to share with her followers:
Yesterday, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Griff & Kit lost their home and everything they own in the Eaton Fire. With their first baby on the way in a matter of weeks, they need our support now more than ever. Griff is a touring musician and also lost his entire arsenal of drums/percussion he uses to make a living. It’s all so much. So many have asked how to help during this unimaginable and stressful time…Please consider donating and sharing to help them rebuild.
Link in bio and all the love….
Related: Disney Faces Wildfire Challenges: Cast Member Evacuations and Studio Closures
What began as an attempt to rally support quickly turned into a public relations storm. Critics flooded the post with comments questioning why Moore, with an estimated net worth of $14 million, would ask for public donations rather than covering the costs herself.
The criticism became so intense that Moore eventually turned off the comments and issued a sharp response:
****And people questioning whether we’re helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic. Of course we are. Our buddy Matt started this go fund me and i’m sharing because people have asked how they can help them. We just lost most of our life in a fire too. Kindly F OFF. no one is forcing you to do anything.
Despite the backlash, many fans and followers came to Moore’s defense, highlighting the emotional toll of her losses and the overwhelming devastation in her community.
Support for Fire Victims
While Moore’s story has garnered significant attention, it is important to remember the countless other families who have lost everything and have no platform to share their plight.
For those looking to help, donations can be made to organizations providing direct aid to wildfire victims, including the California Fire Foundation, World Central Kitchen, and Direct Relief.
California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund: https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-communities/disaster-relief
California Community Foundation: https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/
World Central Kitchen World Central Kitchen: https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/?_gl=1*1xkrdmj*_gcl_au*MTk5MDIxMzExMS4xNzM2Mzc0ODk2*_ga*ODkwNjgzOTc0LjE3MzYzNzQ4OTY.*_ga_5WKVY8503C*MTczNjM4MzQ3OS4yLjAuMTczNjM4MzQ4MC41OS4wLjA.#!/donation/checkout?c_src=navbar
Dream Center: https://dcf.dreamcenter.org/relief
Direct Relief: https://www.directrelief.org/emergency/california-wildfires/
The California Community Fund: https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/
Unfortunately, it’s uncertain how much longer it will take for firefighters to gain control of the fires, or how much more damage will occur in the meantime. With the powerful Santa Ana winds expected to return, progress remains incredibly challenging.
Our thoughts are with the people of Los Angeles during this perilous and heartbreaking time. May they find strength in one another and emerge even more resilient.
