Stars' Homes Destroyed & Threatened By Montecito Fire

Access Hollywood - November 14, 2008 12:52 PM PST
Story photo: Stars' Homes Destroyed & Threatened By Montecito FireFirefighters work on a smoldering home in Montecito, California, where Oprah has a houseGetty ImagesAccess Hollywood

Montecito, Calif. -- As Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County Friday, many of Hollywood's stars watched as the raging fires threatened and destroyed their homes and resorts that they frequent.

Nestled north of Los Angeles in the foothills near Santa Barbara, Montecito is a second home to Hollywood celebrities like Michael Douglas, Kevin Costner, Christopher Lloyd, Dennis Franz, Jonathan Winters and Oprah.

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Oprah talked about the fire on her show Friday, telling her studio audience, "The first thing I want to talk about is the raging fire burning right now in my neighborhood. The fire is about two miles from my house."

"I called my house and security said you couldn't smell. The wind was moving in a different direction, I said, 'How are the dogs? Are they going crazy because of the smoke?' And he said, 'The wind's going in a different direction,'" she continued.

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Oprah's best friend, Gayle King, who was also on Friday's show, asked Oprah what she would have done if she had been there -- Oprah was already prepared for such an event.

"I don't have kids, so the most important thing for me would be my dogs," Oprah said. "So, we already had a plan for getting the dogs out and going to the Four Seasons in Westlake because they take dogs."

Luckily, the talk show host's Montecito home has not been affected. A rep for Oprah told Access Hollywood in a statement, "At this point, Oprah Winfrey's property has not been affected by the fire."

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Oprah talked to her Montecito neighbor, Rob Lowe, on the phone during her show, who was not so lucky. Rob revealed his close brush with the inferno.

"My wife called and said Montecito is on fire get out. And I thought she was kidding," he told Oprah. "We got in the car, pulled out of the driveway and the entire mountain behind was flames 200 feet high -- shooting into the air. Embers were raining down, they were in our shirts and in our hair, and the wind was easily 70 mile per hour... it was Armageddon!"

And it wasn't just Rob's home that was in danger.

"I watched 12 to 13 houses burn to the ground. It was so tragic, it was so sad," he added. "It's the worst I've ever seen."

Oprah expressed her concern for her friends and neighbors in the area, saying, "All our prayers are with all the folks and neighbors in Santa Barbara. Hope you're well today. And those of you who lost your homes, our hearts go out to you."

Access has also learned that Christopher Lloyd, from "Back To the Future," lost his home to the fire. Lloyd's realtor told Access she saw the actor's 4400 sq. foot home engulfed in flames on the news. Fortunately, the actor is safe in Vancouver shooting a film.

Acting legend Jonathan Winters and his wife were forced to evacuate their home last night. His daughter-in-law told Access the couple is safe and so far their home has been spared in the blaze.

Tennis legend Jimmy Conners, who also owns a home in Montecito, told Access that he's packed and ready to evacuate.

San Ysidro Ranch, where many stars go to stay, is also being threatened. The ranch has an impressive star-studded history, with guests that have included: John and Jackie Kennedy, Julia Roberts, Paul McCartney and Gwyneth Paltrow.

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comments 1-10 of 12  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • tikiman
    She is wonderful, I heard she was going to buy everyone a new house!
    report abuseposted November 20, 2008 12:20 AM PST
  • Debra
    Wow, rich or less than rich I don't think that is a cool comment about people burning in there homes. The stars may have two or more homes, it does not matter losing a home to anything is unfortunate.
    report abuseposted November 17, 2008 11:40 AM PST
  • K S
    Yes, we should all be so concerned with Oprah's Home. Give me a break. I've been through the Fire, where was Oprah when my house went up in flames?? I hope the dogs are fine other then that I hope her house burns to the ground. These "Star" have no CLUE, what the other white trash goes through, so spare me the monaloge.
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 7:50 PM PST
  • CUCUSITA
    J your comment is sick
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 7:12 PM PST
  • mc
    Most of these people have 2 or more homes. Lets start thinking and praying for the people losing their one and only home to foreclosure!
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 2:50 PM PST
  • LoveJasonLee
    There are regular people who live in Montecito as well, not just the rich and famous. No one deserves to have their and treasured possesions be decimated by fire. My step-dad is fighting that fire so let's be positiev and hopeful, pepole.
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 2:44 PM PST
  • karen
    There were 100 homes gone this AM so it is really a bad time for a lot of people. Even though most of the people in that area are rich it is still traumatic to have your house burn down. Some of them have lived there for years and years.
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 2:07 PM PST
  • Bella 78
    oh wah....what about everyone affected by katrina or ike you dont see that making the oprah show as soon as it's spotted..we have bigger issues to worry about then the stars one of many homes burning to the ground !
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 1:36 PM PST
  • t.v.tiki
    Was it a grease fire?
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 1:22 PM PST
  • Red Ears
    They put out a defective product, just like American auto makers! Can they get a bail-out?
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 12:51 PM PST
comments 1-10 of 12  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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