Gwyneth Paltrow.Photo:Taylor Hill/WireImage
Taylor Hill/WireImage
“Los Angeles…I have been searching for words and failing, typing and deleting,” she began in a jointInstagram postshared Thursday, Jan. 16. “The loss is incalculable.”
Though too soon to put a definitive number on the destruction, Paltrow tried to help her readers understand the scope of the devastation.
“Twenty-[five] people. Over twelve thousand structures. Tens of thousands displaced. That is what we can count so far, but there is so much we cannot measure,” she wrote.
According toCal Fire, the Pacific Palisades fire — which started along the Pacific Coast Highway before almost making it to the San Fernando Valley — burned 23,713 acres, and was just 22% contained as of Jan. 16.
Altadena, California — Eaton Fire.Getty
Getty
For Altadena, the Eaton Fire ravaged more than 14,000 acres, and is now 55% contained.
“They are more than neighborhoods, they are communities that define what it means to belong. Every house is a haven, and a witness to the people who made it a home,” she wrote.
Paltrow added, “There is more to do than there is to say,” then thanked those who have already stepped up: “First responders risking their lives and their health to protect us. Local journalists keeping us informed so we can make life-saving choices. Neighbors caring for each other, fiercely, in the face of great uncertainty and fear.”
She also thanked small businesses that have “more than what they have,” as well as the real estate community for “policing and reporting price gouging as soon as they see it.”
Gwyneth Paltrow, September 2024.Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Our very own Chef Kim, who represents the best of us, mobilized goop Kitchen quickly to serve over 800 meals to first responders. More to come as we rebuild,” Paltrow said. “Los Angeles, I love you.”
Click hereto learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.
source: people.com