Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears as she shares details of ‘catastrophic’ California wildfires near her home

    The Freaky Friday actor has been actively raising awareness on how to support those impacted by the fires.

    Jamie Lee Curtis addressed the “catastrophe” of the California wildfires during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

    As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, California—reportedly claiming the lives of at least five people and destroying over 1,000 structures—Freaky Friday actor Jamie Lee Curtis has shared advice and urged individuals to offer support in any way possible.

    Curtis took to Instagram on January 8 to speak out about the devastation caused by the wildfires. In her post, she shared:

    “My community and possibly my home is on fire. My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well. There are so many conflicting reports. With all the technology, there seems to be very little information. PLEASE POST FACTS! IT WILL HELP THOSE WONDERING!

    nup 206689 03031
    Actress Jamie Lee Curtis during an interview with host Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Episode 2075 on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC

    “It is a terrifying situation, and I’m grateful to the firefighters and all the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze. Neighbors have taken care of neighbors. We ALL take everything for granted because we are all living our lives, but when it hits your community, it’s particularly shocking. Life on life’s terms. If ever there was a need for the use of the phrase MY HAND IN YOURS, it is right now. Take care of each other. Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.”

    Later that day, Curtis appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she admitted to feeling like she was “literally about to cry” shortly after sitting down to chat with the host.

    resize 2025 01 10T044101.132
    Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken out about the California wildfires (Getty Images/ Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

    While admitting she felt like crying “mostly because of [receiving a] beautiful welcome,” Curtis continued, “As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning.”

    The actor shared that she learned about the devastation while on a plane flying to California, receiving texts that informed her of the situation. She expressed: “It’s f**king gnarly, you guys. It’s a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously, there have been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything. The market I shop in, the schools my kids go to, friends.”

    Curtis revealed that “many, many, many” of her friends have “lost their homes,” emphasizing that it is “a really awful situation,” before urging people to help where they can.

    resize 2025 01 10T044157.223
    The wildfires have destroyed homes across Los Angeles (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

    Curtis concluded, “I am obviously going to go home first thing tomorrow and be with my family and try to help my friends, but it is—just so I can tell you, if you know anybody on the West Coast or not, the American Red Cross, support them. They will come in and help people. Do anything you can, anything in your community to help people. Whether you need it or not now, you will need it.

    “Give blood, donate, animal shelters.

    “And remember, since I’m on the middle of a very big television show, for anybody living anywhere, have an emergency kit in your house. I’m an American Red Cross ambassador—have an emergency kit with prescription glasses, medicines, dog food, baby formula, all the things you need if you need to flee.”

    In a further update shared to Instagram, Curtis added: “Our home is safe. So many others have lost everything. Help where you can.”