Harry and Meghan’s residence in Montecito is now situated at the brink of a highly dangerous area, as Los Angeles prepares for potentially catastrophic wildfires fueled by hurricane-strength winds expected later today.
Harry and Meghan are on the verge of evacuation as devastating fires that have already ravaged Los Angeles make their way toward their Montecito estate.
Montecito is now under a red flag warning as the notorious Santa Ana winds—known as the «Devil Winds»—are predicted to arrive today, fueling the risk of explosive fire growth and heightening the potential for additional blazes across the LA area.
Experts caution that today will be the most perilous day yet, with hurricane-force winds of up to 70 mph expected. The Montecito Fire Department has warned that these winds could cause fires to spread rapidly and behave unpredictably, advising residents to be prepared to evacuate.
Just days ago, Harry and Meghan welcomed evacuees into their $29 million home, but they too may soon be forced to flee.
The couple, who are 43 and 40 years old respectively, have also supported fire victims by making donations through their Archewell Foundation and serving meals to survivors with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s wife over the weekend. However, their involvement has drawn criticism, with some labeling them as «disaster tourists.»
The fires, which have claimed at least 24 lives and scorched over 40,000 acres, have been exacerbated by fierce winds similar to those expected to strike Montecito—a celebrity haven home to Oprah and others, including Tyler Perry, godfather to Princess Lilibet.
The National Weather Service issued a rare warning of a «particularly dangerous situation» from Monday night into Tuesday, predicting extreme fire conditions that could last through Wednesday.
The warning covers much of Southern California, including heavily populated areas like Thousand Oaks, Northridge, and Simi Valley, where wind gusts could reach up to 65 mph.
Firefighters are battling several active blazes, including the massive Palisades Fire, which has burned over 23,000 acres and is just 14% contained, and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, which has consumed more than 14,000 acres and is one-third contained.
Additionally, the recently ignited Auto Fire in Ventura County has spread rapidly, growing to 56 acres in just a few hours.
The red flag warning is in effect for much of Southern California, with fire danger expected to be at its peak on Tuesday, when winds could escalate to 70 mph.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has warned that the wind conditions could be close to hurricane force, and preparations are underway to safeguard vulnerable areas. Fire officials are advising residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately if they feel at risk, without waiting for formal orders.
Meanwhile, more than 8,500 firefighters are combating the fires, using air support and ground crews to prevent further spread.
Water trucks and fire-retardant planes are being deployed in large numbers to tackle the blazes and protect vulnerable structures.
As for Harry and Meghan, they visited an evacuation center in Pasadena on Friday, more than 90 miles from their home, to assist with relief efforts.
Despite their genuine intent to help, their appearance at the center sparked controversy, with actress Justine Bateman accusing them of using the disaster for a «photo op.»
Sources close to the couple have dismissed the criticism, stating that Meghan, born and raised in Los Angeles, has deep emotional ties to the community and is devastated by the destruction caused by the fires.
In addition to offering shelter to evacuees and donating to relief efforts, the Sussexes have shown their support for fire victims in multiple ways, including providing essential supplies and emotional support during this crisis.
