Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg reporting for duty.
As wildfires blazed through the celebrity enclave of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles on Wednesday, the 66-year-old actor was seen lending a hand to fire crews battling the blaze.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency after a massive wildfire erupted and sparked others on Tuesday, quickly growing to engulf more than 27,000 acres, leading to the evacuations of more than 150,000 residents.
At least five people were killed, and countless others injured.
When the evacuation order was issued for the area, many people abandoned their cars in the street, leaving their keys behind.
The actor told Entertainment Weekly by phone: “Well, what happened was the fire got so close and everybody was trying to get out that it became sort of a little bit of a panic.”
Guttenberg has lived in the Palisades area for three decades.
“In a crisis, always remember that you are, you’re part of a community,” he continued, “and if you’re able-bodied, you’ve got to help. You’ve got to help. You can’t walk by somebody when they need something. You just can’t walk by them. You have to help them.
“There are a lot of people who need help. Some people are so scared. Some people are in wheelchairs, some people are old or infirm, and you need to help them, and you can’t just walk by.”
The actor said he “started just moving cars” after recognizing the need for emergency vehicles to get through the blocked streets.
“I knew that we needed emergency vehicles through there,” Guttenberg said. “And I wasn’t the only one.”
Other celebrities have meanwhile been sharing reactions to the fires.
Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt called for people “to come together to support one another” in a post shared to Instagram.
“Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires,” he wrote. “Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.”
He continued: “Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fuelled by fierce winds. You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage.”
You can follow live updates on the California wildfires here.
