The J. Paul Getty Museum believes its art is safe even though wildfires are burning nearby in Los Angeles. The Getty Center, which displays famous artworks like Vincent van Gogh’s “Irises,” is located in Brentwood. Wildfires in California have sadly claimed 24 lives and forced many people to leave their homes, including areas with celebrity houses.
Katherine Fleming, the head of the Getty Trust, spoke to BBC Radio 4 and said, “We take care of these treasures seriously and our museum is built to handle events like earthquakes and wildfires. We feel confident about our safety.”
Opened in 1997, the Getty Center is designed to resist fires, with special walls made of stone and a solid concrete interior. It also has advanced air systems to keep smoke away from the artwork. Their threat level has decreased recently, but they’re still keeping a close watch on changes in the weather.
Fleming mentioned the Getty Villa in Malibu is safe, though some trees there have burned. She thanked the Los Angeles Fire Department for their hard work.
Firefighters are working hard to control the wildfires as strong winds are expected again. Among the tragic fatalities, eight deaths were linked to the Palisades fire and 16 to the Eaton fire.
The wildfires have also delayed the Netflix show “Love, Meghan,” starring the Duchess of Sussex. Originally set to release January 15, it will now premiere on March 4. The Duchess expressed gratitude to Netflix for agreeing to postpone the series, showing support for those affected by the fires. She and her husband visited local residents and emergency crews, helping those who lost their homes.
Many celebrities have also faced losses, including Mel Gibson and Paris Hilton, who started a fund with a $100,000 donation after seeing her home destroyed on TV. Other stars, like Jennifer Garner, are volunteering to distribute food to those in need.
Sadly, a former child star, Rory Sykes, died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the fires. The wildfires have disrupted Hollywood events, resulting in the postponement of various awards.
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