The Ellen Show host and wife Portia have evacuated their home as wildfires scorch southern California
DeGeneres tweeted from her account on 10 December: “Our house is under threat of being burned.
“We just had to evacuate our pets. I’m praying for everyone in our community and thankful to all the incredible firefighters.”
Our house is under threat of being burned. We just had to evacuate our pets. I’m praying for everyone in our community and thankful to all the incredible firefighters. The live stream is on https://t.co/FTcKVvHO16
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 10, 2017
DeGeneres later posted a second tweet to her 76.3 million followers sending out “love and gratitude” to the local fire department and sheriffs:
“Everyone in the Montecito area is checking up on each other and helping to get people and animals to safety.
“I’m proud to be a part of this community. I’m sending lots of love and gratitude to the fire department and sheriffs.
“Thank you all. #ThomasFire”
Everyone in the Montecito area is checking up on each other and helping to get people and animals to safety. I’m proud to be a part of this community. I’m sending lots of love and gratitude to the fire department and sheriffs. Thank you all. #ThomasFire
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 10, 2017
According to a report by the BBC, the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara has consumed 230,000 acres (930 sq km) in the past week – an area larger than New York City.
Fanned by strong winds, it has become the fifth largest wildfire in recorded state history after it grew by more than 50,000 acres in just one day.
#ThomasFire – Current map for Monday December 11 showing fire perimeter. For additional information, please go to https://t.co/ctK7vJUqbR pic.twitter.com/c3s8WJG2lN
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) December 11, 2017
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department have issued both mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders in the area and have been posting regular updates on Twitter.
#ThomasFire– Santa Barbara County Fire Hand Crew Member Nikolas Abele keeps an eye on a hillside for any stray embers during a firing operation in Santa Monica Canyon in Carpinteria. pic.twitter.com/fyL46uCGh9
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) December 12, 2017
Due to continued unhealthy air conditions resulting from the Thomas Fire, free face masks will be distributed by the Santa Barbara Medical Reserve Corps throughout the day.
#ThomasFire – With flames burning behind it, a Christmas Tree stands as a lone sentinel in the front yard of an evacuated home in Carpinteria. pic.twitter.com/Yt3VWshrVW
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) December 12, 2017
For more information on the #ThomasFire click here
