Californian Stars Host Benefit for Los Angeles Fire Victims

Pop stars from California and across the United States will perform at the end of this month in a benefit concert for victims of the Los Angeles fires. Local acts include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joni Mitchell, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Other performers include Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, Sting, Rod Stewart, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Stevie Nicks, Stephen Stills, and Lady Gaga. Additional star names are expected to be announced leading up to the concert.

The event will take place on January 30 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood and the adjacent Kia Forum. It will be broadcast live on various streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, and YouTube.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday. Proceeds will support organizations providing immediate relief and long-term assistance to those affected.

Funds will also be used to prevent future disasters of this scale. Improved weather conditions today offer firefighters a brief respite as the two largest fires have not grown further on the tenth day due to decreased winds.

However, meteorologists warn that dry desert winds will return on Sunday. The fires have collectively burned over 150 square kilometers, an area one and a half times the size of The Hague.

Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and at least 27 people have died. Over 82,000 residents have evacuated, with an additional 90,000 at risk of evacuation.

The fire department warns it may take days for residents to return due to the need for cleanup of hazardous materials and fallen power lines. Landslides also pose a threat due to unstable ground where vegetation has burned.

The fires are expected to cause at least $250 billion in damages, making it the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history. Various celebrities have pledged financial support or provided other forms of aid.

BeyoncĂ© donated $2.5 million, as her mother’s home was destroyed. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Lee Curtis each contributed $1 million.

Jennifer Garner, British Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan Markle assisted in distributing meals to rescue workers and displaced persons. Emma Heming Willis shared images on Instagram showing Bruce Willis personally thanking firefighters for their efforts.

The 69-year-old actor has rarely appeared in public over the past two years since announcing his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis. “Bruce never missed a chance to thank first responders with a handshake, and yesterday was no different,” wrote his wife alongside the shared footage.

Source: NOS

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