Meryl Streep's Daring Escape from Wildfires
Meryl Streep made headlines after cutting a large hole in the fence of her Los Angeles home to escape the wildfires threatening the area, as reported by her nephew.
The wildfires erupted on January 7, causing widespread destruction and leading to the loss of thousands of homes. Tragically, at least 29 lives have been lost due to the infernos, affecting many well-known personalities including artists like Jhené Aiko, Madlib, Diane Warren, and others.
In a piece for New York Magazine, Streep's nephew, Abe Streep, detailed the challenges residents faced during this crisis. He noted that although Meryl received an evacuation order on January 8, she encountered a significant obstacle when she discovered a large tree had fallen and blocked her only way out.
In her determination to escape, Streep reached out to a neighbor for assistance. She borrowed wire cutters and proceeded to cut a car-sized hole in the shared fence between their properties. This bold move allowed her to drive through the neighbor's yard and make her getaway.
While Streep's home in Pasadena is located near the Eaton fire, reports suggest that, despite the evacuation order, her house was not engulfed in flames.
The recent wildfires have drawn attention to the role of human-induced climate change in exacerbating such disasters. A report from leading climate scientists indicated that the conditions leading to these fires were 35% more likely due to global warming, primarily driven by fossil fuel consumption.
In response to the crisis, a relief concert is being organized at LA's Intuit Dome, featuring performances by major artists including Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry. Another concert at the Kia Forum will also host acts like Green Day and Anderson .Paak. These events will be streamed globally on platforms such as Netflix and YouTube, aiming to raise funds for those affected by the fires.
Organizers have stated that the proceeds will go towards short-term relief efforts as well as long-term initiatives designed to prevent future wildfire disasters in Southern California.
Meryl, fires, evacuation