Meryl Streep became her own hero while trying to escape the deadly Los Angeles wildfires earlier this month.
Evacuation orders were issued citywide, according to an article by Meryl Streep’s nephew, Abe Streep, in New York Magazine on January 28. Streep mentioned that his aunt, Meryl Streep, was instructed to leave on January 8. However, when she attempted to evacuate, she encountered a significant obstacle as a large tree had fallen across her driveway, blocking her way out.
Describing the incident, Streep highlighted the 75-year-old actress’s determination and courage. He narrated how she took matters into her own hands by borrowing wire cutters from a neighbor to create a passage through the fence shared with the neighboring property. Meryl then proceeded to drive through their yard to make her escape.
The wildfires that ravaged extensive areas in and around Los Angeles on January 7 affected regions like Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. Reports indicated that Meryl Streep has property in the vicinity of Pasadena, which was in close proximity to the Eaton Fire that swept through Altadena.
Martin Short — who is rumored to be in a romantic relationship with Only Murders in the Building costar Meryl — was also forced to evacuate the Palisades in early January. According to Abe, the actor retrieved family photo albums after one of his son’s called him to make sure he was preparing to leave.
“Short drove down toward the Pacific Coast Highway, only to find the exits from his neighborhood were clogged,” Abe wrote, noting that Short, 74, had experienced a similar wildfire incident in 1993, but firefighters were able to save his home.
The Saturday Night Live alum “remained in his car, where it took him more than an hour to cover a distance that would normally take five minutes” while exiting the area. Others abandoned their vehicles in order to flee quicker on foot.
Short’s home was spared once again, but one of his sons lost their house. “I will definitely stay in my home,” Short told Abe after the reality set in.
Actor Haley Joel Osment had a similar experience when leaving his home in Altadena, California. “After he let his dogs out into the yard, he saw a large plume of black smoke and a glow coming from the canyon,” Abe wrote of Osment’s recount of the Eaton Fire. “So he loaded up his dogs, passport, and family photos and went to his parents’ house, which was nearby.”
Both Osment, 36, and his parents lost their homes as a result of the wildfires. The Sixth Sense actor revealed that he plans to rebuild on his same plot of land.
There have been 12 deaths from the Palisades Fire and 17 from the Eaton Fire as of Tuesday, according to authorities. The Palisades Fire has burned more than 23,000 acres of land and is now 95 percent contained, per Cal Fire’s latest report.
The Eaton Fire has burned 1,021 acres since its star and is currently 99 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.
