Montecito fire: What about the celebrities? *

* Post updated at 9:35 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Most news organizations have focused coverage of the Montecito fire on homes lost and where the flames are heading. But others had other priorities. Here's the lead from the fire story from Thaindian.com:

Michael Douglas, Rob Lowe, and Oprah Winfreys houses in the hills of the wealthy Southern California coastal town of Montecito face the danger of being gutted by a wind-driven bush fire, which has already destroyed several homes. Representatives for Lowe and Winfrey confirmed that the celebrities” homes had not been destroyed, and that neither was staying in the area Thursday night.

A few facts that put Montecito in perspective:

In 2006, Forbes magazine declared the Montecito ZIP Code the seventh-highest-priced in the U.S., and the median price of a home is $2.9 million. L.A. Times real estate writer Ann Brenoff recently described the coastal town this way:

This is a place where less is more. Forget garish Beverly Hills mansions and Bel-Air palaces that scream "look at me." Santa Barbara County's Montecito is understated elegance, English gardens and the quiet genteelness that comes from having nothing to prove. It is, however, only for the chosen few.... This is where the rich and famous come to be ignored. Many celebrities have found refuge here, including Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Rob Lowe, Kirk Douglas and Jeff Bridges. They tend to live behind gates but are often seen around town. Jonathan Winters is a regular at Tom's, the local coffee shop. These celebs -- and the captains of industry who are their neighbors -- could hardly have staked out a prettier spot. But what distinguishes it from some other places populated by the super rich is its lack of glitz and ostentatiousness.

Two years ago, The Times reported how hard it was for firefighters to live anywhere close to Montecito: "The fire near Gaviota jumped U.S. 101 and raced toward Buellton, blocking Eric Klemowicz's path to work. Duty bound, he drove east to the San Joaquin Valley, south to Castaic, west to Ventura and north to Santa Barbara County. Four hours later, the Montecito firefighter finally arrived at work. That was two years ago. But the area's high housing costs long ago pushed Klemowicz 90 miles north into the next county, near Pismo Beach.... Few places face a more acute housing problem than the Montecito Fire Protection District."

* Updated: Times Hot Property columnist Ann Brenoff reports a dramatic scene from the home of actor Christopher Lloyd:

The caretaker for actor Christopher Lloyd's house "fled for his life" in a firestorm last night, said Lisa Loiacono of Sotheby's International Realty. Loiacono manages the property for Lloyd, who is filming on location in Vancouver, Canada, and was not in Montecito. Loiacono said the property's 8 acres were all "torched," and the house "at least partially burned, if not totally." Loiacono was unable to enter the area this morning.

The house, Lloyd's main residence, had been listed for sale in the spring of 2007 at $11.3 million but was recently withdrawn from the market while he made upgrades. He owns a second, smaller, home in Montecito that is still on the market for $3.6 million.

The property believed lost is one of Montecito's more unusual homes. The 5,500-square-foot main house has one bedroom, and there is a separate guesthouse. The house was built in 1972 from adobe bricks made on site. And the living room and bedroom share an outdoor area with a large patio and stone-lined reflecting pool.

Lloyd personally cared for many of the rare and exotic plants on the grounds. It is also believed that the Mountain Drive home of Eva Loggins, Kenny Loggins' ex-wife, was destroyed by the fire.

Description of Lloyd's smaller home in The Times: "The new listing has two bedrooms and two bathrooms in 2,514 square feet and is within walking distance of Montecito's lower village.The gated house has an Asian influence, with bamboo floors and a raised bamboo pergola overlooking the pool and spa. There is also a waterfall that cascades into the pool. The home has three fireplaces and a study off the living room with built-in shelving. There are high ceilings throughout."

Update 2: Here's more from The Times' Louis Sahagun in Montecito:

Buildings located on Christopher Lloyd's property sustained major fire damage, with ruins continuing to smolder Friday afternoon. The property looks out over a panoramic view of a canyon studded with luxury homes, the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands.

Lloyd is said to personally care for many of the rare and exotic plants on the grounds, some of which perished in the fire. Among the debris was the metallic nameplate for Orphium frutescens, a South African shrublet that grows pink flowers and is commonly known as the sea rose, and Erythrina latissima, a slow-growing South African tree, commonly known as the broad-leaved coral tree, that has scarlet flowers and leathery green leaves. Besides the nameplate, all that remained were ash and a stump covered in blackened leaves.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Associated Press

Click here for more photos from the fire area.

Comments

[mickey spilane]

who cares if celebrities live there? what about the 100 homes that burned down? News in southern California is horrendous.

[Candice McElroy]

Montecito fire: What about my family members? I have a feeling the celebrities will be just fine after the fire... It's sad that the angle of most news stories focus on celebrities when there are plenty of "normal" people affected by the fire. What's their story?

[Sal]

I know, news in So Cal is so horrendous, all those mentions of celebrities...

Just like that other So Cal publication - the New York Times, which mentioned celebrities in Montecito on its top website story this morning.

Mickey - that snotty regard of yours is so passe.

[Robert]

Who cares about the celebrities? Celebrities are no better then the other people that live in Montecito that lost their homes

[Scott near Montecito]

I'm not sure what you'd classify as "normal", but if you mean middle-income people, there aren't any. Not in that neighborhood. You don't even walk in and look without having at least $3M as a low price. If you want something nicer than entry level it goes up from there.

[Edward]

it'd be interesting to know how they voted on prop 8.

[Jackie]

If you want to know how they voted on Prop 8- the likely answer is that they voted NO. Because, I am proud to say that SB County was one of the few that voted NO.

[Ellen]

Well, the public curiosity is what sells People magazine every week!

Just think about all the kids that were living in two dorms at Westmont College that were wiped out in the fire. And because housing is so expensive, a few years ago some nice, small houses to accomodate faculty and families were built...at least 12 of those were lost as well. How would a college kid feel, living away from home for the first time, with the few precious belongings they have with them lost in a fire (to say nothing of the books and study materials they have lost)?

[Adam]

Oh, no! I hope the fire is contained soon. It would be a shame to have homes, especially celebrities' homes destroyed :'(

[Livinator]

There actually are some middle income houses in the immediate area; Westmont College is in Montecito, and has been lucky enough to build low-income faculty housing next door. College professors (and firemen) can hardly be expected to pay the exorbitant prices in Montecito's real estate. However, at least 12 of these faculty homes were burned completely to the ground in a matter of hours. These professors and their families do not have the vast resources of their neighbors, and have lost a great deal more than Oprah or Rob Lowe ever could. The loss of their homes will impact the college a great deal more than the loss of a few classroom buildings. 12 faculty members represents a large percentage of the faculty numbers.

[geoff grant]

who cares about the celebrities - they're people too. How about devoting some coverage and attention to the fire fighters who are battling the flames. I'm more interested to know if the injured heros are OK. I could care less if Oprah, Rob Lowe or the others had to hang tight in one of their other houses for several weeks.

[Katet]

I was born and grew up where the fire is burning. Montecito and the Riviera are hugely expensive nowadays, and some homes always were. But there are PLENTY of people in all areas who have been there forever and bought their homes for "normal" prices. My gran bought our house for $30,000. Does she deserve to lose it? Is she a celebrity? Just because these areas have gained notoriety because of the people who have moved there recently doesn't mean that there aren't regular people there. Let's have some common sense and empathy. Yes, the people who are losing their second or third home won't really feel the pinch, but there are hundreds of others who will.

[Sally]

ummmm the part about Chris Lloyd's house getting burned is not true. I live on his street and it's fine. I'm glad there are minimal casualties. I try to remind myself that it is just stuff!!! People and animals are the priorities.

p.s. about prop 8 voted no...but wondering if new voters misread the prop and voted wrong?

[Jason K]

What a ridiculous article- not to beat a dead horse but.......WHO CARES about the celebrity's. But Christopher Lloyd, now there's a story..........

[Julia]

I lost my 1 bedroom apartment last month to the Chatsworth fire, and lost everything that belonged to both sets of grandparents, Like a 110-year-old Grandfather clock, jewelry and paintings my grandmother painted. I am now living with my parents and starting over, but feeling a huge void of posessions that were my little world. I was sad to see more destruction of homes from fires last nght. So to make a big deal about the rich and famous losing their homes is really pathetic. I feel more empathy for the homeless man and his dog that lost their lives in their makeshift-shack in Chatsworth. Now that is a tragedy! Stay focused people. Celebrity, gay, straight, rich, unemployed, homeless, black , white, latino, or any nationality, it is really sad when anyone is affected by the fires. We all have something to lose! No person's life is more important than anothers just because of the dollar amount.

[tom]

How about the fact that firefighters can't afford to live anywhere NEAR Montecito if and when a fire breaks out. They have to drive for hours just to get there! Perhaps the city of the wealthy and famous should consider that!

[joseph]

If less is more in Montecito,then Times writer Ann Brenoff,obviously has never seen Oprah's simple abode.

[syscom3]

I am sick and tired of hearing about celebrity this and celebrity that.

They dont care about me, so I am not going to care about them. Their homes can burn away for all I care.

[h]

Does anyone know if Lotusland is ok? They have some extremely rare plants that are irreplaceable...

[Jennifer]

It's the media that focuses on the celebrities losing their homes in the fire, not the celebrities themselves. Fires destroy personal loved possessions lost forever, lets not forget you have your lives to live for and rebuild, that is what's most important. Hopefully owners have house insurance to cover the majority of their possessions. This is a devastating situation for all involved including the firefighters who give their lives to save people and their homes.

[Cheryl]

OK... enough with these celebraties and their poopr homes being in danger! Everyone is well aware of the fact that they can just make a pjone call and have their personal assistants, house cleaners, movers... whatever... Make a simple phone call to their Real estate broker and move in to a new place in a day. What about the TRUE Santa Barbara residents, who have gone through this over and over again,had to rebuild, regrouped their lives, grieved and also financially been severiouly burdened by these acts of nature. I agree, it is insulting to the Santa Barbara working class, that are constantly struggling to live here because they can't afford to move elsewhere. STOP and think of the persons that really made Santa Barbara the place that these celebrities chose to live.

[jd]

I just heard on FOX that Rob Lowe's house burned, he was home at the time and had to run for his life.

[amybou]

There are actually plenty of middle class people in Santa Barbara and Montecito. They are teachers, nurses, graduate students, professionals, and people who work in the service industry, and many of them rent guest cottages, studio apartments, and converted garages in the homes of wealthy residents in SB and Montecito.

[rt]

Good thing Rob's house is OK. He would have been spending alot of time at his beach house featured here http://www.pc.com/learn/videos

[Pam]

I have a daughter who lives in Santa Barbara; she has several college friends who live i the hills of Santa Barbara. These are students in rental properties who have had to exacuate. If these homes are lost, there will be a lot of students who can't afford to stay in the area- who's going to help them?? Will the property owners rebuild? Let's hope everyone helps everyone, despite their income

[Maralago]

This comment is to Julia who was devastated by the Chatsworth fire: Julia, know that so many of those reading this artilce saw your comments & will keep you in their prayers. I hope you have been able to find some resources to assist you on rebuilding. If not, post again & I personally will research where you might turn for help, I hope other readers will do the same. Let's make some good out of an article bemoaning the loss of the rich & famous - although I do wish to make it clear I regret anyone losing their property but most of all - as with Julia - their treasured keepsakes.

[Disconsolate_SoCal]

For all you holier-than-thou types, I trust you're going to stop watching TV, movies and DVDs, reading magazines, or any other activity that might possibly benefit the lives of the individuals you find so contemptble. Instead of one word of compassion for anyone affected by the fires, you pule and whine about things that have nothing to do with you.

[John Crandell]

Well, let's hope that Rob had his clothes on when he had to take off and run for his life!

Otherside, that Times image showing the pool deck seemingly half melted and flowing downslope with the pool furniture still there and the ocean and islands way out beyond is a true classic. Iconic.

[Sam]

I don't think in hard times like these are shaping up to be it is fair for readers to blame the LA Times. People followed the famous in the thirties too. Distraction. Living though another is what people do in a depression. Remember the newspapers are reeling from the internet siren call of free news and porno. The papers have to do something to get readers back!

[richard teraoka]

Some of the diatribe posted on the blog is bilious and simply hurtful. The destruction of homes in Santa Barbara in general and Montecito in particular, is tragic and a deep personal loss that is beyond the worth and value of property.
It is not about losing a home because one is rich or poor; Black or White; straight or gay; Christian or atheist; or having ascribed notoriety or not but rather, the common and shared tenets of valuing community and in doing so, a spirit that reflects community standards and expectations that shapes and defines who we are and what is community.
At present, what is not expected is the infusion of either political or social commentaries about a fire that disrupts people’s lives and affects a community; it’s about empathy and having compassion.
Residents in the communities of Santa Barbara and Montecito need not concern ourselves with other perceptions and especially during this time only because we simply know who we are and what we will do as one community today and for all of tomorrows.
Richard
Santa Barbara, Calif.

[Gracey Giles]

As a Santa Barbara resident, I can confirm that while many celebrities have one of multiple residences located in Montecito, there are plenty of families whose Montecito home is their only residence. This fire hit hard and fast, with no warning and very little time to grab photos and things that cannot be replaced. I watched in helpless terror from five miles away as the fire raced up and down the hills, driven by insane wind speeds. I cannot begin to imagine how terrifying it must have been for the poor souls who had to flee there. The streets are narrow, steep, twisty and challenging to navigate in the best of circumstances. And it's a lot more pretty than ritzy-looking, too. Let's focus on the miraculous sparing of life and the heroic actions of emergency personnel and the generosity of friends and family who took in the victims. Out of 5,000 evacuated, no more than 200 actually went to the Red Cross shelter. Let's focus on the humanity, not the celebrity.

[D. Hill]

I would appreciate hearing any information about the condition of Lotusland.

[ae]

Looking at this thread I am amazed at how many resentful people are posting messages about celebrities - get a life! you just wish you were one and had the money to spend in Montecito - is this thread about concern for people and the fire or just a jealous rant. You can all be, do or have anything so stop focusing on what others have with negativity and appreciate what you are blessed with... spiritually, physically, emotionally and intellectually.

[Sue]

While I agree that is it sad that anyone, no matter what the income level, would lose his or her home and personal possessions, what makes the loss of celebrities' homes especially tragic is the loss of so many irreplaceable antiques and works of art.

[John]

Hey I live in Montecito, it's my parents only residence, and I still only care about the celebrities! Just as long as my newspaper doesn't burn while I'm reading about them.

[Jonathan Smith]

As I look through today's news stories about the fire they generally seem to be focusing on celebrities in Montecito and Oh how wonderful it is that Oprah's house was spared. This is news drivel at its absolute worst. My best friend and his wife just lost everything in that fire. There's was one of the first homes burned. They are neither celebrities nor wealthy and rented part of a house who's value didn't come close to the three million dollars now mentioned in umpteen articles. What happened to them is news. Oprah's house not being burned is un-news.

[Used 2 lv in SB]

I lived in SB from 1948 to 1968...wish I still lived there.

Lotusland which was asked about is far enough away that unless the fire sweeps all the way to the ocean it should be untouched.

One thing nobody mentions is that, as I remember from the Coyote Fire in the 60s, homes that were "spared" by that fire were someitmes buried in mud half way up the windows in the winter rain following the fire.

I was at the fire camp at Westmont during that fire and seeing a hillside that had been completely burned it seemed dark with a few glowing areas and the fire on the other side of the mountain, it was a shock when the wind started back up at 2 AM and the whole hillside seemingly burst back into flames. Those at the edge of the camp had to run as the flames headed towards Westmont again. I did learn it's NOT out until IT'S BEEN OUT FOR MANY DAYS!

Really bad for those "average folks" who lived along the canyon sides and, of course, probably nobody, rich or poor, has flood/mud insurance. Would have been less of a hit in the pocketbook to have lost the house to fire.

I sure hope that nobody loses more than "things" in the fire. I check frequently to try to find out what the status is and am hoping for the best for everybody.

[Bonbayel]

I'd like to know more about how Lotusland fared, too.
My great-grandparents started the grove and exotic nursery that became Lotuslnad (with a different, Craftsman, house) and the oldest plants there were planted and tended by him and my grandmother's brother later as Lotusland was developed. From at least one of the maps, the area to the SE of Westmont College (which also was part of hi orginal holdings.) was not in the 'red area.'
But a lovely old monestery above Westmont was completely destroyed.

[Fred]

i feel sorry for the people who lost their homes rich or poor but they have chosen to live there in a state that has high fire risk.Just like the people who live in high risk areas for twisters and volcano's.What these place need to do is come up with a water system to fight these fires. There is no reason why they can't come up with some kind of a canal that would channel water from the coast to their towns for that reason to fight fires.Heck you drive along a big canal on I5 for miles caring water.It cost money i know but they can raise that money and the rich who live there should also do their part in helping to save their homes.The water that could be channeled there could also water the hill sides to make it safer.There are many things that could be done if the people were willing to do so.

[Deanna]

People tend to have a disconnect with this kind of news unless they either know the area or knows the people whose homes were destroyed. So it's natural for people to want to know if anyone they've ever heard of was among those affected by the devastation. For the most part, that means, let's face it, celebrities.

[Living in Santa Barbara]

Yesterday's article as well as this one is a JOKE! I live in Santa Barbara and I'm apauled that these articles focus on the celebrities that live here and what there current situation is in regards to the fire. Cant newspaper journalists find "real" stories to write about. How about the not so wealthy families that have lived and grown up on Mountain Dr., that more than likely inherited their homes from their families. This area is deep with history of musicians and artists. Or even the history of Westmont's campus. My heart goes out to the people that have lost their homes...celebrities, non celebrities, rich, or poor.

[Lisa]

From the Lotusland website:
We are relieved to let you know that Lotusland has survived the devastating Tea fire. We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the brave firefighters, police, sheriff, and all departments involved in the heroic effort to save lives and property. For further information please check www.montecitofire.com.
[phew!]