This newscast is updated weekdays at 6am, 9am, noon, 3pm, and 6pm. When wildfires broke out across Los Angeles last month, more than 16, homes and buildings were destroyed, and at least 29 people lost their lives.
Local officials emphasized the unprecedented nature of the fires. And given that the disaster devastated the city where so many creative industries are based, it didn't take long for actors, musicians and other entertainment industry leaders — including many who were personally impacted by the wildfires — to jump into action. On Jan. Dre and Joni Mitchell , took turns performing; comedians like Billy Crystal — who lost his home in the fires — and Quinta Brunson also addressed the audience.
Brunson, who plays a teacher in her hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary , introduced Glendale High School teacher Aurora Barboza Flores, who shared how she'd spent decades saving up for her Altadena home, only to have it burn down. The estimate includes private gifts from the Eagles , U2 and music executive Irving Azoff and his wife, Shelli.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife also matched all pledges made during the broadcast. FireAid is still accepting donations online, so the total amount of money raised is expected to keep growing.
The funds, administered through the Annenberg Foundation, will help with immediate recovery efforts and long-term preventative measures across southern California. The first phase of grants [is] expected to be awarded by mid-February. The Grammys , which were held in Los Angeles on Feb. Before the ceremony, the Recording Academy announced that although many parties and events leading up to the awards ceremony had been canceled in light of the wildfires, it would have been too big a blow to the local economy to cancel or postpone the show.
