Steve Guttenberg helps with evacuations during Pacific Palisades brush fire

Actor Steve Guttenberg assists residents during Pacific Palisades fire, urging car key drop-offs to clear traffic.

A wind-driven brush fire in Pacific Palisades has prompted evacuation orders and drawn attention for its rapid spread and community response.

Among those stepping in to help is actor Steve Guttenberg, who lives nearby and has taken an active role in aiding evacuation efforts.

The fire, reported at 10:30 a.m. on January 7, has already burned over 1,260 acres by late afternoon. Evacuation orders are in place for areas northeast of Merrimac Road, northwest of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and south to Pacific Coast Highway. Residents fleeing the area have faced gridlocked traffic on Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard, hindering fire crews’ access to the flames.

Guttenberg, known for his roles in Police Academy and It Takes Two, urged evacuees to leave their car keys behind if abandoning their vehicles. Speaking to KTLA, he emphasized, “This is not a parking lot. If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so someone like me can move it and make room for fire trucks.”

The actor highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that friends of his were trapped due to the congestion. “There are families and pets stuck up there. Clearing Palisades Drive is critical to getting everyone to safety,” he said.

Wearing a facemask, Guttenberg appealed to the community to prioritize safety. “Don’t worry about personal property. Just get your loved ones and get out.”

Fire crews remain on-site battling the blaze as residents evacuate under challenging conditions.