Neil Young Loses Home To Deadly California Fire

Published Nov 13, 2018 By Morgana Mercedes

(L) Steve Jennings / WireImage / Getty Images, (R) Matthew Simmons / Getty Images

California Wildfires Claim Rock Legend’s Home

We’re sad to report that Neil Young has lost his Malibu home in the Woolsey Fire currently sweeping through Southern California.

Young, who celebrated his 73rd birthday only yesterday amid the chaos of evacuating his home, took to the Neil Young Archive website where he broke the news to fans – fans who remember all too well that this sadly isn’t the first time the “Old Man” singer has lost a home to a California fire.

AGOURA HILLS , CA – NOVEMBER 09: Firefighters from various departments work to protect structures as the Woolsey Fire moves through the property on Cornell Road near Paramount Ranch on November 9, 2018 in Agoura Hills, California. About 75,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to two fires in the region. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)

In a lengthy statement posted to the NYA, Young writes:

“Firefighters have never seen anything like this in their lives. I have heard that said countless times in the past two days, and I have lost my home before to a California fire, now another.”

As the Woolsey Fire is being called the deadliest, most destructive fire in California history with 42 lives claimed and nearly 100,000 acres burned since it began November 8th, Young kept echoing a sentiment that we keep hearing from both first responders and survivors: this fire is on another level entirely. “We are up against something bigger than we have ever seen,” he admitted in his statement, making even more real the sense of overwhelming helplessness felt throughout Southern California at this time.

MALIBU, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER, 10: The Woolsey Fire burns above Malibu, California, November 10, 2018. (Photo by Kyle Grillot for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Neil isn’t the only celebrity to lose his home. He joins a host of others mourning the loss of their family homes and memories, devastated at the destruction but overwhelmingly blessed to have escaped with what really matters: their lives, their loved ones, and their animals.

Miley Cyrus and partner Liam Hemsworth were among the first to report having lost their home. Hemsworth, 28, wrote “This is what’s left of my house. Love. Many people in Malibu and surrounding areas in California have lost their homes also and my heart goes out to everyone who was affected by these fires.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqIJhnMHnd4/

Cyrus, 25, assured fans that she and her loved ones are alright and thanked first responders for risking their lives to try and save her community, saying “Completely devestated [sic] by the fires affecting my community. I am one of the lucky ones. My animals and LOVE OF MY LIFE made it out safely & that’s all that matters right now.”

She also urged people to help out in any way they can:

Actor Gerard Butler also lost his home, taking to Instagram to share an absolutely heartbreaking photo of what remains of his home.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDOMy5Fz69/

“Returned to my house in Malibu after evacuating. Heartbreaking time across California. Inspired as ever by the courage, spirit and sacrifice of firefighters. Thank you @LosAngelesFireDepartment.” wrote Butler.

At the time of this writing, the Woolsey Fire is 35% contained but with high winds and dangerous fire conditions threatening to send the blaze even further, fingers are crossed and prayers are up that our brave firefighters can stay ahead of the fire and hopefully prevent it from causing even more death and destruction.

We’re with you, California.