Los Angeles is battling the worst wildfires in the city's history, with thousands of people forced to evacuate or watch their homes burn to the ground.
According to the Associated Press, about 130,000 people were ordered to evacuate and about 10,000 buildings were destroyed. At least 10 people died in the fire.
There is no doubt that the devastation of the fires has taken a serious toll on the psyche of those affected, experts agree.
Steve Guttenberg calls LA wildfires 'the great equalizer' and urges people to lean on each other
Fox News Digital spoke to celebrities and mental health experts who offered the following advice for those affected:
recognize your emotions
According to David Kessler, a Los Angeles grief counselor and founder of Grief.com, common reactions for people who experience a fire loss include shock, disbelief, and confusion.
“I call it the grief brain,” he told FOX News Digital.
Luke Dexter reacts while inspecting the remains of his father's fire-ravaged waterfront property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in Malibu, California on January 10, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher) (AP)
“Your mind is trying to understand what happened, but it's difficult because you can't imagine suddenly losing your home and safety.”
Kessler pointed out that not all grief is related to death, as there are many different types of loss.
“I always say grief is a change we didn't want, and certainly the fires are a change we didn't want,” he added.
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He said it was important to “self-examine” the reality of the losses.
“People might take a harmful positive view of, 'Well, at least no one died,'” he says. “That's true, but the reality is you're still homeless. Don't let anyone take that lightly.”
“The loss of a home is devastating and can take years to recover.”
“I think we're going to face a lot of depression and a lot of sadness after this.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California, where Tuesday's fire broke out, spoke about how the disaster has affected his mental health.
“We've seen so many tragedies over the last three or four days that we need to be on our toes,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“And I think we're going to be dealing with a lot of depression and a lot of sadness after this. And it's going to be really tough because this is something we've never seen before.”
Actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California, where the fire broke out on Tuesday, spoke about how the disaster has affected his mental health. (Agustin Paulier/AFP via Getty Images, Fox News)
Gutenberg said it's “very normal” to feel depressed, but he tries to “keep himself from falling into that hole.”
“But I'm pretty sad about this,” he added.
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Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., said the grief after the Los Angeles fires was “deep.”
“It's not just the physical loss of home and belongings, but also the sense of safety and normalcy that's been lost,” he told FOX News Digital.
“It's important that people feel the emotions and don't ignore them. This is a normal reaction to such an overwhelming loss and tragedy.”
ask for support
Mr. Guttenberg emphasized the importance of staying connected to others and gaining support from the local community during a disaster of this scale.
“We're social animals, so we need humans,” he says. “So, I'm trying to contact a friend. There's no way I can meet you right now because it's so dangerous. So the best thing you can do is… call and get in touch. Then you can drive somewhere. I might be able to go to
Experts agreed that it is important to avoid isolation after a loss. “We need to be taken care of. We need other people around us.” (AP)
Most of the town's people have been evacuated, he noted. “There's probably 10 percent of the population left here. Maybe less.”
Kessler reiterated that connection is important after this type of trauma. “We need to be taken care of. We need other people around us. People equal safety,” he said.
“We need other people around us. People equal safety.”
Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church outside of Seattle, Washington, agreed that it's important not to feel isolated after a loss.
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“We need God and we need each other. Community is essential,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Your family, friends, and neighbors care about you. God sends his love through these people. Refuse isolation. Don't close your heart and don't shut people out. ”
take action
“During a crisis like this, regaining even a modicum of control can be grounding,” Alpert said.
She recommends making a plan for next steps, whether to find temporary housing, tap into local resources, or begin the rebuilding process.
“Taking action, no matter how small, helps us move forward.”
Ben Trager hugs his wife, Sarah Trager, after discovering his grandfather's clock at the site of his home in Pacific Palisades on Thursday, January 9, 2025. “I always say that if you have survivor's guilt, it's best to take action,” says one person. Experts advised. (Juan Carlo/Iman)
Kessler agreed, noting that people who were in the area but didn't experience the loss may feel a sense of relief mixed with guilt.
“If you have survivor's guilt, I always say the best thing to do is to take action,” he advised.
In the long run, advocacy can be a powerful tool in dealing with trauma, Alpert said.
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“Working to improve fire prevention policies, supporting relief efforts, and helping neighborhoods rebuild can provide a sense of purpose and strength during this difficult time,” he said.
Alpert acknowledged that some people may be angry at the system that failed to prevent the fires in the first place, and that this anger can be a “powerful motivator.”
“Taking action, no matter how small, helps us move forward.”
“Use that energy to demand better, but don't get bogged down in anger,” he advised.
“We may feel better by holding our leaders accountable for the policies, or lack thereof, that contributed to this devastation, and by asking the right questions and demanding answers.”
Seek professional help if necessary
“The Los Angeles fires will definitely leave not only physical scars, but also deep emotional scars,” Alpert said.
“For many people, the fear, panic and helplessness experienced during a fire will not only go away, but will remain with you, causing flashbacks, anxiety and difficulties in life.”
“For many people, the fear, panic and helplessness experienced during a fire will not only go away, but will remain with you, causing flashbacks, anxiety and difficulties in life.” (St. Petersburg)
In many cases, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of the condition include vivid memories of the fire, nightmares, hypervigilance, or avoiding things that remind you of the event, Alpert said.
“Rather than seeing this as a weakness, it's important to think of it as the mind and body's way of trying to cope with extreme stress.”
“While the fire was devastating, it will not diminish your strength or character.”
When seeking help, it's also important to understand that PTSD doesn't define you, he added.
“It's part of your experience, not your identity. The fire was devastating, but it didn't diminish your strength or your character.”
rely on your beliefs
Kessler emphasized the importance of faith and spirituality for those who have experienced traumatic grief.
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“They help anchor us in a world full of fear,” he said. “And sometimes when we lose everything, it feels like all we have to hold on to is faith.”
In times of crisis, Guttenberg said, it's important to “lean into what you believe in.”
Cesar Plaza gets emotional as he looks at his home destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 9, 2025 in Altadena, California. “It's easy to get obsessed with what you no longer have,” the pastor told FOX News Digital. (AP Photo/Nick Cooley) (AP)
“If you believe in your father and mother, you rely on them, your brothers and sisters, your friends, your family. God, the universe.”
Above all, he added, “Remember, you are not alone. God is always with you. Jesus is always with you. You must hold on to that.”
Find a way to express your gratitude
During difficult times, Pastor Bradley said it's important to recognize the good that still remains in your life.
“It's easy to get hung up on things you don't have anymore,” he told FOX News Digital.
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“You have to consciously take inventory of the blessings in your life. For example, you may lose your home or your business, but you still have your family.”
This mindset can help you maintain a healthy perspective and practice gratitude, Bradley added.
