Last update:January 14, 2025, 4:40 PM IST

The Oscar-winning actor was on site overseeing relief and rescue efforts through his CORE Foundation.

Penn provided financial assistance to LA residents. (Image credit: Instagram)

Dry and strong winds continue to increase in Los Angeles County, howling through already blackened trees and lifting clouds of ash and smoke. The deteriorating situation has also complicated ongoing efforts to combat the devastating wildfires, which have killed at least 24 people and left a trail of destruction. As firefighters have been deployed in fire-affected regions and have been battling to bring the situation under control for almost a week, several organizations, including Sean Penn’s CORE (Community Organized Relief Fund), have also come together to help restore the fire to help wildlife.

The Academy Award-winning actor was also on site from day one, supporting relief efforts to meet residents’ immediate needs, including cash assistance. Speaking to CNN, he spoke about the burning areas in the neighborhood and the extent of the devastation they brought to the buildings.

“If there are winds like ours, I don’t think humanity has found a solution to it. Mother Nature is bigger and more powerful than us. “So many people we all know and care about have lost their homes,” he shared. Penn also talked about working from day one, helping out at the main shelter and revealing how many people don’t have adequate financial support.

Additionally, the Mystic River actor even referenced the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, saying, “It’s kind of, you know, up there is Gaza to the west.” We know there will be forest fires in that area. That’s why people choose to live in this area. But for the people who live especially in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, etc., this is so unexpected.”

Fire situation in Los Angeles

At this time, fire departments are still battling two large fires, followed by smaller fires. One of the worst fires to hit the Palisades burned over 20,000 acres of land, with only 14 percent still under control. Another major wildfire, the one in Eaton, is 33 percent contained and burning more than 14,000 acres of land.

Meanwhile, weather forecasters have predicted “dangerously strong winds” of up to 70 miles per hour, which could lead to an explosive increase in fires, according to the BBC. The National Weather Service’s L.A. office has already issued a red flag warning for areas like Santa Barbara, Ventura and other counties.