Amid raging wildfires, the public has sharply criticized high-profile celebrities like Kim Kardashian for their lavish water usage in drought-stricken Los Angeles. Notably, criticism escalated after revelations that they exceeded water restrictions during a critical time of need.
Furthermore, stars like Kardashian, Sylvester Stallone, and Kevin Hart have sparked widespread anger with their excessive water usage, particularly as Los Angeles battles severe wildfires, according to the Daily Mail.
To combat the prolonged drought, Los Angeles enforced strict water conservation rules in 2022. Specifically, the city restricted residents to watering their gardens for only eight minutes, twice a week, in an effort to preserve water for essential firefighting efforts.
However, despite these regulations, reports revealed that Kim Kardashian used an excess of 232,000 gallons of water beyond her property's allocation. This extravagant usage, in particular, occurred at her $60 million residence in the upscale neighborhood of The Oaks.
Similarly, celebrities like Sylvester Stallone and comedian Kevin Hart also violated the mandated water restrictions and subsequently faced fines. Consequently, their actions angered the community further, especially amid the immediate threat of wildfires.
Following the backlash, it was noted that Kim Kardashian eventually implemented water-saving measures at her home. Nevertheless, the damage to her public image was already done, as neighbors and residents expressed deep disappointment over the perceived entitlement of these celebrities.
A neighbor of Ms. Kardashian lamented, "These celebrities have a sense of entitlement. Everyone was told to cut back on water precisely for this situation, to preserve it to fight fires. They carried on watering because they could afford the fines."
The Palisades Fire, one of the major current wildfires, has urgently impacted areas like Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood, which are home to many celebrities. Consequently, this fire has forced numerous evacuations and, furthermore, added significant pressure on the area's emergency services.
The wildfires have caused catastrophic damage, killing approximately 16 people, leaving 13 missing, and burning over 37,000 acres. Additionally, the fires have destroyed around 12,000 structures and, even more concerning, currently threaten an additional 57,000.
As a result, the disaster has forced around 153,000 residents to evacuate their homes. In response to the crisis, the city of Los Angeles declared a local health emergency to address the severe degradation of air quality.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service warns that the ongoing Santa Ana winds could further worsen fire conditions, thereby increasing the potential for more damage and heightened risks to life and property.
In response to the crisis, wealthy homeowners are taking extreme measures by hiring private firefighters. According to Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, a security and tactical training facility, "My phone has been ringing off the hook. Demand has never been higher."
One affluent individual hiring private firefighters stated, "This week’s events have shown you can’t trust the city to protect your property. I have the money, so why not?" Despite the controversy, private firefighting services are seen as a necessary resource for those who can afford them.
Chaotic scenes have engulfed affected areas as fires and a subsequent water shortage spread. A distressed woman evacuating through traffic described the situation as "unfolding to absolute ugliness" because of the dense smoke and falling ash.
However, amidst the chaos, there have been examples of community solidarity. A good Samaritan, stuck in the same traffic, highlighted the unexpected unity arising from the disaster. "It's very unfortunate that it takes something like this to bring everybody together. Hopefully, this will continue, even after this," they remarked.
Such disasters also draw attention from global figures, such as LeBron James, who expressed his concern on social media, stating, "I pray this nightmare ends soon! So many prayers."
Los Angeles residents, especially those in the public eye, spark debates about responsibility and privilege in times of crisis as they take actions and make decisions during this dire emergency.
