Renowned home renovation expert and television personality Nicole Curtis recently opened up about a terrifying ordeal she faced while returning to her Los Angeles home amidst the chaos of California wildfires.
In a heartfelt post shared on January 11, Curtis recounted the overwhelming fear and uncertainty she experienced as fires surrounded her neighborhood, threatening not only her home but her peace of mind.
Curtis began by describing how the holiday season, spent in Detroit, took an unsettling turn as she prepared to return to California.
“We have been hunkered down in Detroit for the holidays, and when we went to fly home, the fires started—and not the usual LA fires,” she wrote, noting the atypical and unpredictable nature of these blazes. Unlike previous fires that she reassured friends “only go there, not near us,” these popup fires brought destruction alarmingly close to her neighborhood.
The fires had already ravaged areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena, leaving widespread devastation in their wake.
“Unfathomable and terrifying to keep seeing images while sitting in … Detroit,” Curtis confessed, capturing the helplessness she felt being far from home while witnessing the destruction through news coverage.
Despite her fears, Curtis decided to return to Los Angeles, attempting to reassure herself and her children.
“I convinced myself that I was letting this fear get the best of me and I was overreacting,” she explained.
However, the reality was far more alarming. Mere minutes into her flight, the Hills Fire ignited, leading to school closures and evacuation orders for her neighborhood.
“Nine minutes into my flight… our neighborhood was evacuated, and our street corner was on the news—‘multiple houses on fire,’”
she recalled, describing the panic that overtook her as events unfolded.
Landing at LAX, Curtis found herself bewildered and unsure of her next steps.
“Thankfully, the amazing fire and police teams contained it, and we were able to get to our house within a couple of hours,” she shared.
By the time she reached her home, the immediate danger had subsided, but the lingering smell of smoke and the sight of scorched land served as grim reminders of the wildfire’s toll.
That night, Curtis and her family remained on high alert, ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. “We stayed dressed last night, suitcases at the door,” she wrote, describing the uneasy hours spent waiting to see if the fires would reignite.
While her own home was spared, Curtis was deeply moved by the losses endured by others.
“Not sure what today holds beyond being thankful and praying for all of these families that lost everything. I didn’t experience a 1/10th of what they have, and I’m shook,” she said, expressing her profound sympathy and urging her followers to join her in praying for those affected.
Curtis’ experience sheds light on the unpredictable and devastating nature of wildfires, which have become an increasingly frequent challenge for California residents.
Her heartfelt post not only captures the raw fear she felt but also highlights her gratitude for the first responders who worked tirelessly to contain the flames.
“Thank you to all my LA friends that were watching everything to make sure we were safe, my Detroit friends staying up to make sure we were safe,” she wrote, acknowledging the support network that helped her navigate this crisis.
While Curtis and her family escaped unharmed, her story serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by those living in wildfire-prone areas.
It also underscores the importance of community, resilience, and empathy in the face of such challenges. As she concluded her post, Curtis emphasized her commitment to supporting those who suffered losses, writing,
“I will pray for them hard and ask that all of you do, as well.”
Nicole Curtis’ candid account is a powerful testament to the human impact of natural disasters and a call to action for compassion and solidarity.