Jennifer Aniston Shares Vital Tips To Help Wild Animals Amid Pacific Palisades Wildfires

Jennifer Aniston is shining a spotlight on the plight of wildlife as California’s wildfires ravage the state.

The Palisades Fire, which began on Tuesday in the Pacific Palisades due to a backyard fire, has left a devastating path of destruction. An uncountable number of homes have been destroyed, forcing thousands to flee. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire near Altadena has claimed the lives of five people and left neighborhoods in ashes. As strong winds continue to fan the flames, evacuation orders have expanded to Malibu, and a state of emergency remains in effect for Los Angeles city and county.

While many celebrities are using social media to thank first responders and send prayers to those affected, Jennifer Aniston is taking a unique approach.

The actress is focusing on wild animals displaced by the fires, offering her platform to share critical information about how to assist them during this crisis.

Aniston took to Instagram Stories to share a heartfelt PSA. “If you’re near the Palisades fires, please be mindful that wild animals are fleeing the flames and may show up in your yards,” her post began.

“The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection advises bringing your pets indoors at night to give wildlife a safe path to pass through. Consider leaving buckets of water for these animals," the post shared on her Instagram, Stories added. "They are scared, exhausted, and may lose their homes. A little kindness can help them recover and survive.”

In a follow-up post, Aniston provided practical information for both human and animal evacuations.

Stephanie Eyes, a senior wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, about how animals navigate wildfires.

According to Eyes, most wildlife attempt to stay close to home, avoiding active flames and smoke until it’s safe to return. Smaller creatures like frogs and rodents often burrow underground to escape the heat, while aquatic animals seek refuge in the deepest parts of their habitats. Birds and tree-dwelling animals may climb to higher branches to avoid low flames, while larger animals such as deer and bears move through the forest to find safer ground.

“Wildlife is incredibly resilient,” Eyes explained, noting that many species have adapted to survive California’s long history with wildfires. However, she cautioned that larger, high-severity fires pose significant challenges. “Wildlife have adapted to deal with smaller fires, but unfortunately, sometimes they can’t escape these recent, big fires,” she said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, warning of “life-threatening” winds and extreme fire weather. Residents have been ordered to evacuate as fires continue to rage, but the fate of countless wild animals remains a pressing concern.

Aniston’s message serves as a reminder of the profound ripple effects of these disasters. By shedding light on the needs of wildlife, she is inspiring her followers to take small yet impactful actions to aid animals in their recovery during this difficult period.

A brush fire erupted Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, just west of Runyon Canyon, adding to the growing list of wildfire incidents across California. Fire crews worked tirelessly through the night to contain the blaze as it threatened the densely populated area.

The Eaton Fire near Altadena has taken a tragic toll, claiming the lives of five individuals. The fire has left a devastating path of destruction, scorching homes and rapidly spreading through foothill neighborhoods. As residents grieve their losses, firefighters continue battling the flames to prevent further destruction.

Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire, which began Tuesday in the Pacific Palisades, remains a significant threat. Sparked by a backyard fire, this blaze has already destroyed an uncountable number of homes and forced thousands to evacuate. As of Thursday morning, new evacuation warnings have been issued for Malibu, raising fears of additional damage.

The wildfires have also caused widespread power outages, with more than 362,000 homes and businesses across California left without electricity.

Los Angeles County alone accounts for nearly 200,000 of these outages, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us.