Crime & Safety
Rob Lowe Among Montecito Celebrities Affected By Thomas Fire
Lowe thanked fans on Instagram for their thoughts and expressed gratitude for firefighters.
MONTECITO, CA — The Thomas fire, which has already scorched more than 230,000 acres, is now threatening the affluent seaside enclave of Montecito, where celebrities have been forced from their estates that sit perched upon hillsides below heavy flames.
Smoke shrouded Rob Lowe's home and the actor wore a mask as he livestreamed his family fleeing on Sunday. The actor thanked fans on Instagram for their thoughts and expressed gratitude for firefighters, saying "we need you!"
My commute to work. #california
A post shared by Rob Lowe (@robloweofficial) on Dec 8, 2017 at 1:20pm PST
Praying for my town. Fires closing in. Firefighters making brave stands. Could go either way. Packing to evacuate now.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 10, 2017
My commute home tonight. We are safe. Others aren’t. Pray for them.
A post shared by Rob Lowe (@robloweofficial) on Dec 5, 2017 at 8:43pm PST
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres said on Twitter that neighbors were helping each other and their animals get to safety. She said she was proud to be a part of the small, exclusive community in Santa Barbara County northwest of Los Angeles.
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Everyone in the Montecito area is checking up on each other and helping to get people and animals to safety. I’m proud to be a part of this community. I’m sending lots of love and gratitude to the fire department and sheriffs. Thank you all. #ThomasFire
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 10, 2017
And retired tennis star Jimmy Connors tweeted that his property was in danger.
Many residents of Montecito and neighboring Carpinteria not under evacuation orders have opted to leave because of heavy smoke and ash blowing through.
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The fire, which began in Ventura County and killed one person, has destroyed 794 structures and damaged 187 others.
Lead photo by Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP
Rob Lowe photo via Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Ellen DeGeneres photo via Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP