Melissa Rivers shared her harrowing experience of how quickly the California wildfires spread, leading the local authorities to initiate their evacuation protocol known as “Ready, Set, Go.” Due to the swift progression of the fire, the plan needed to leap straight to “Set,” leaving her with minimal time to gather her essential belongings before evacuating her home.
When the final evacuation notice was issued, Rivers described the alarming sight, saying, “The fire was still a canyon away, but you could clearly see the flames.” In her frantic rush to escape, she managed to collect her pets and a few cherished items, such as her late mother Joan Rivers’ Emmy Award. She recounted how she also took her parents’ watches, including the dress watch she had given to her son Cooper for his 18th birthday. Along with those memories, she quickly packed some clothing into various bags, including three tote bags, several large canvas bags, and a few Macy’s and CVS bags.
Unfortunately, her property did not survive the blaze, as she lamented, “We lost everything. The only thing that survived is our front gate and the barbecue.” The extent of the devastation left her in disbelief, as she remarked, “It’s so much more than just the homes — it’s an entire town wiped off the map.” Many local businesses in Palisades were family-owned, and she noted the pain of those who have lost not just their homes but their livelihoods as well.
Finding safe lodging has also posed a significant challenge for Rivers. “We’ve had to move three times due to evacuations, but we’ve settled at a friend’s house in Santa Monica,” she explained. “They’ve been kind enough to take us in, along with another family we’re friends with.” Through these trying circumstances, Rivers leans on her self-defined “dark sense of humor” and her ability to invoke laughter in others. Supporting fellow victims of the disaster provides her some comfort, helping her manage her own struggles in the face of loss.
“Checking in and comforting the people in my world that are affected by this allows me to not deal with my home stuff right now. I had a few brief moments of tears, but I haven’t had time for that. I am my parents’ daughter,” she reflected. Despite the significant loss of her possessions, Rivers emphasizes looking out for those in more dire need.
”There are people donating, and stores are giving substantial discounts. I see many of my friends from Palisades wanting discounts, and I keep reminding them that these aren’t meant for them. They can purchase new clothes just like they always have. Let those who truly need assistance have the first opportunity,” she urged.
Among the many acts of generosity, one particularly caught Rivers’ attention. She mentioned, “Apparently, Jennifer Lopez dropped off some clothes. We were joking that someone, somewhere just got a pair of Jennifer Lopez’s jeans. How amazing!” Her story is a testament to resilience amid hardship, illustrating the spirit of community support during trying times.
