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Celebrities Spark Fury After Ignoring Water Limits Before LA Wildfires: “The Lowest Of Humanity”
Celebrities Spark Fury After Ignoring Water Limits Before LA Wildfires: “The Lowest Of Humanity”
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Celebrities Spark Fury After Ignoring Water Limits Before LA Wildfires: “The Lowest Of Humanity”

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Country-wide indignation ensued after some Hollywood celebrities have been accused of ignoring water-saving regulations to maintain their expensive gardens as fires ravaged Los Angeles and fire hydrants ran dry.

The restrictions, in place since 2022, limit the time that regular residents can water their lawns to twice a week for only eight minutes per session. However, entertainment personalities, such as Kim Kardashian, have exceeded their water allocation by hundreds of thousands of gallons and are being penalized as a result.

Highlights
  • Some celebrities were accused of ignoring water restrictions amid LA wildfires.
  • Kim Kardashian, Stallone, and Hart were fined but kept consuming extra water, according to neighbors.
  • Expensive private firefighting teams hired as public water taps go dry.
  • Extreme weather created the conditions for fires to displace 150,000 people.

Despite being fined, neighbors have accused her and other celebrities, such as Sylvester Stallone and Kevin Hart, of continuing to use excessive amounts of water. 

“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,” a resident told local media.

RELATED:

    Netizens are angry after celebrities are accused of breaking water-saving rules to maintain their massive Los Angeles gardens

    Kim Kardashian on the red carpet wearing white clothing.

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    Image credits: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

    “These celebrities have a sense of entitlement,” the angry neighbor explained to the Daily Mail, echoing the sentiments of many who felt the disastrous fires revealed the worst aspects of celebrity and rich people’s culture.

    The most wealthy hired expensive private firefighting teams, charging up to $2,000 per hour, to safeguard their properties from the encroaching flames, rubbing salt into the wound.

    Kim Kardashian wearing a white gown and diamond jewelry in a luxurious setting.

    Image credits: kimkardashian

    Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, a private firefighting team, explained to the outlet that his phone has been ringing constantly since the tragedy began, with demand reaching unprecedented levels.

    A wealthy resident explained his position, stating that most people would do the same if they had the money: “This week’s events have shown you can’t trust the city to protect your property. I have the money, so why not?”

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    Firefighters in charred landscape near luxury homes, related to celebrities and LA wildfires.

    Image credits: Kyle Grillot/Getty Images

    The use of private companies comes as public hydrants are running out of water, with up to 20% of Los Angeles’ water taps going dry.

    “Right now, we’re not utilizing the hydrants,” Kristin M. Crowley, chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, explained. “We need answers to ensure this does not happen again, and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires.”

    Feelings of helplessness grow as containment efforts continue to struggle to slow the flames’ advance

    Aerial view of Kim Kardashian's home.

    Image credits: BACKGRID

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    The calamitous nature of the disaster, comparable only to the tragic events of 2018’s Camp Fire, which ravaged more than 150,000 acres in Northern California, has left many with a sense of impotence, seeking outlets for their anger and sadness as they lose everything to the merciless flames.

    From arsonists adding fuel to the fire to “out-of-touch” celebrities asking for money via fundraisers—despite their massive fortunes—the situation has sparkedoutrage across social media.

    Kevin Hart outdoors holding phone, wearing maroon jacket, amid greenery.

    Image credits: kevinhart4real

    Progress has been slow, with the Palisades Fire, the biggest of the three, being only 14 percent contained as of Monday morning (January 13).

    The second largest, the Eaton Fire, has been 33 percent contained, and the smallest, the Hurst Fire, is about to be completely put out with 95 percent containment.

    “We keep getting stalled by mother nature,” lamented Joe Everett, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, at a news conference. “I know you want to get back in your houses, and we’re coming up with plans to do that,” he continued.

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    Two seasons of heavy rainfall, followed by one of extreme drought, created the ideal conditions for the flames to spread, according to experts

    Sylvester Stallone talking on a show, background shows a city skyline.

    Image credits: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

    According to climate experts, this year’s Los Angeles wildfireswere caused by a perfect combination of factors that made it easier for the flames to expand and grow to massive proportions.

    LA wildfires blaze intensely at night as smoke billows, highlighting environmental concerns in California.

    Image credits: 60 Minutes

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    For a fire to grow so big, it needs to burn large amounts of fuel. In the case of a forest fire, this fuel comes mainly in the form of grasses, leaves, and dried-out shrubbery, which are then immediately consumed. 

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    Structures and trees smolder for more extended periods of time, allowing the fast winds to carry the flames further and cause them to burn brighter.

    A house engulfed in flames amid LA wildfires, highlighting controversy over celebrities ignoring water limits.

    Image credits: 60 Minutes

    In Southern California, precipitation patterns during the preceding two winters were perfect, with 2022 registering 21.45 inches of rain and 18.81 inches in 2023.

    Aerial view of Los Angeles neighborhoods affected by wildfires amidst water limit controversies.

    Image credits: 60 Minutes

    The back-to-back rains spurred growth, with vegetation flourishing in the aftermath, only to face a sudden and extreme period of drought since May 2024, with only 0.03 inches of rain falling during the entire period.

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    This extreme back-and-forth meant that all the extra growth dried and died, creating lots of fuel for any spark to become a disaster able to displace more than 150,000 citizens.

    Netizens were outraged by celebrities ignoring the water limits, feeling the fines they were charged were ineffective

    Kim Kardashian posing for a picture indoors wearing beige top.

    Image credits: kimkardashian

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    “Yet these celebs wonder why the rest of us don’t feel overly sympathetic for them. The rest of us have done all we can to preserve water and comply in an effort to look out not just for ourselves but our communities,” one user said.

    “I wonder where the money collected from the fines went? It certainly didn’t help alleviate a severe water problem which has now resulted in a catastrophe of epic proportions,” another asked.

    “Forget the fines; shut the meter off once the allocation is reached,” a reader replied.

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    “If the punishment is a fine, it only means the rich get charged a fee for doing it. Fines do not stop rich people from abusing rules,” another stated.

    “Make the fines proportional to their income, like in Finland. See if they still water when the fine is $2 million.”

    “What a disgrace.” Netizens expressed their disappointment on social media, slamming celebrities for ignoring water restrictions amid the fires

    A comment about the impact of a disaster on careers and homes, mentioning consequences.

    Comment on celebrities ignoring water limits, discussing consequences and entitlement.

    "Comment discussing water limits and wealth disparity amid LA wildfire concerns.

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    Comment criticizing family after celebrities ignore water limits before LA wildfires.

    Comment criticizing celebrities for ignoring water limits before LA wildfires.

    "Comment by jamestea2 about celebrities' lawns using excessive water.

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    Comment criticizing celebrities for ignoring water limits amid LA wildfires, mentioning 232,000 gallons wasted.

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    Comment criticizing celebrities for ignoring water limits amid LA wildfires.

    "Comment criticizing celebrities for ignoring water limits before LA wildfires.

    Text criticizing celebrities for donating a small amount to wildfire volunteers compared to their wealth.

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    User comment expressing disappointment in celebrities' actions regarding water usage limits.

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    Comment criticizing celebrities for ignoring water limits in LA before wildfires.

    "Comment criticizing rich for ignoring water limits, highlighting fines' ineffectiveness.

    “Comment on water limit violations suggesting fines and court appearances for overconsumption.”

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    Text criticizing celebrities for water overuse, despite efforts by others to conserve amidst LA wildfire risks.

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    "Comment criticizing celebrities for ignoring water limits before LA wildfires.

    Text criticizing water policy and blaming authorities for ignoring issues before LA wildfires.

    Comment discussing celebrities and California water issues and responsibility.

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    Comment discussing water issues in California and desalination as a solution for the rich state.

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    Text criticizing celebrities and politicians over water limits and fire department budget cuts in LA before wildfires.

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    Abel Musa Miño

    Abel Musa Miño

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Read more »

    Born in Santiago, Chile, with a background in communication and international relations, I bring a global perspective to entertainment reporting at Bored Panda. I cover celebrity news, Hollywood events, true crime, and viral stories that resonate across cultures. My reporting has been featured on Google News, connecting international audiences to the latest in entertainment. For me, journalism is about bridging local stories with global conversations, arming readers with the knowledge necessary to make up their own minds. Research is at the core of my work. I believe that well-sourced, factual storytelling is essential to building trust and driving meaningful engagement.

    Read less »
    Abel Musa Miño

    Abel Musa Miño

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Born in Santiago, Chile, with a background in communication and international relations, I bring a global perspective to entertainment reporting at Bored Panda. I cover celebrity news, Hollywood events, true crime, and viral stories that resonate across cultures. My reporting has been featured on Google News, connecting international audiences to the latest in entertainment. For me, journalism is about bridging local stories with global conversations, arming readers with the knowledge necessary to make up their own minds. Research is at the core of my work. I believe that well-sourced, factual storytelling is essential to building trust and driving meaningful engagement.

    What do you think ?
    CatWoman1014
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s too bad her house didn’t burn down…with her in it. I said what I said

    RedMarbles
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fines are just seen as fees by some.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    10 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They look upon the fines are merely the cost of doing whatever TF they feel like doing, legal or not, and walking away without paying real consequences.

    Load More Replies...
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    CatWoman1014
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s too bad her house didn’t burn down…with her in it. I said what I said

    RedMarbles
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fines are just seen as fees by some.

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    10 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They look upon the fines are merely the cost of doing whatever TF they feel like doing, legal or not, and walking away without paying real consequences.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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