Harry and Meghan may lose everything as wildfires threaten their home–here’s what’s happening now

As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, the fate of one high-profile family hangs in the balance. With escalating danger in their exclusive neighbourhood, questions are mounting about their next move.

The situation has grown more dire by the day, and it's not just their home that’s at risk. What happens next could change everything for this well-known couple.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have been forced to evacuate their lavish Montecito mansion as wildfires ravaged Southern California.


The couple, along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, resided in the upscale enclave of Montecito, which had been identified as a ‘high fire risk’ zone by Southern California Edison.


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Prince Harry and Meghan’s home is at fire risk. Image source: Instagram/harry_meghan_updates


The Montecito mansion, which appeared briefly in the couple’s docu-series, was in jeopardy, as evacuation orders loomed for those in fire-affected areas.

Southern California Edison confirmed it was considering power shutdowns due to the worsening situation.

Harry and Meghan had moved into the sprawling estate, boasting nine bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, in 2020, following their departure from royal duties.


Their high-profile neighbours included media mogul Oprah Winfrey and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Tens of thousands of people had already fled their homes as wildfires spread, including celebrities such as Ben Affleck and James Woods.

The intense wildfires were being driven by hurricane-force winds and dangerously dry conditions, making containment increasingly difficult.


At least two lives had been lost in the Eaton fire, which was one of the several uncontrollable blazes tearing through the region.

Meanwhile, 49,000 residents were placed under evacuation orders due to the rapid spread of the Palisades fire.

The fire had scorched over 1,000 homes and structures as it raged across the Santa Monica Mountains, with gusts reaching 160 km/h further fuelling the flames.


California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, highlighting the severity of the situation as he visited first responders battling the fire.

‘By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods,’ Newsom remarked, emphasising the widespread devastation.

Local fire crews had reportedly exhausted their water supplies as the fire continued to rage.


As of 9 January, the Palisades Fire remained at 0 per cent containment.

In fact, there are over 1,000 Los Angeles County fire personnel on the front lines.

The fire was expected to intensify further as winds continued to whip across the region.

Key Takeaways
  • Wildfires in Southern California threaten the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, forcing a potential evacuation.
  • The couple resides in the exclusive Montecito area, which is considered a high fire-risk zone.
  • Local authorities have already issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents as fires spread rapidly.
  • The ongoing crisis has caused significant destruction, with over 1,000 homes destroyed and emergency responses stretched thin.

With so many lives already upended, how do you think this crisis will impact the couple’s future in California? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
 

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What a ridiculous headline and story. Montecito is 60 miles / 100km away from the nearest Californian fires. As I have just fact-checked this via Google, surely this newsletter coukd have done likewise.

Just another headline to get that pair unwarranted attention.
 
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I have been the "victim" of two bushfires on the NSW South Coast in the late 1990s and early 2000s resulting in evacuation.

Luckily, the first fire was extinguished barely a kilometre from my newly built home, after travelling over 80 kilometres overnight on Christmas Eve. I watched houses burn in Huskisson on Christmas Day from the "safety" of Myola on the other side of Currambene Creek.

But I know SFA about bushfires and their impact....
Watched from the balcony of our house in Wentworths Falls Blue Mountains as fire raged across from us.lt was just after midnight and everyone was tired but better to get out so after phoning all the family we ended up in Canberra . Lucky we did as they closed the main highway in the morning.
 
Watched from the balcony of our house in Wentworths Falls Blue Mountains as fire raged across from us.lt was just after midnight and everyone was tired but better to get out so after phoning all the family we ended up in Canberra . Lucky we did as they closed the main highway in the morning.
We were looking at buying in Wentworth Falls but decided against it because of high risk with bush fires . I love the area and often go for day trips out there as well as Katoomba
 
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US insurance companies will enact the "Act Of God" clause and not pay a red cent!

Ha ha ha!
The surgeon I sued was with an American insurance company and is the reason I settled for less than I could have gotten.
I asked why would he have been with an American company and the only answer given was because hus premiums would have been cheaper
 
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I have been the "victim" of two bushfires on the NSW South Coast in the late 1990s and early 2000s resulting in evacuation.

Luckily, the first fire was extinguished barely a kilometre from my newly built home, after travelling over 80 kilometres overnight on Christmas Eve. I watched houses burn in Huskisson on Christmas Day from the "safety" of Myola on the other side of Currambene Creek.

But I know SFA about bushfires and their impact....
I love Huskisson and was only there 2 weeks ago. Another place I would love to live but you can see how bushfire would be a danger
 
I assume they are insured anyway
A lot of Americans don't insure because of the cost and when it comes to claiming the companies don't pay out.
My husbands uncle lived in Pittsburgh and his cousins in New York and neither had insurance , it was a discussion we had with them years ago.
 
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I would imagine despite what status in life you are, to lose everything in a fire would be horrendous. These fires do happen there ever single year, you would have thought by now that they would be more prepared, some of these properties have acres of land around the home, why wouldn't you do what they say to do here in Australia and clear trees and brush around your home, make it as clear as possible. Also regardless of how much money you have when all your worldly possessions have gone up in flames, you are in the same boat as anyone else, devastated at the loss.
The issue is that many fire properties are not victims of the initial flames like this, but from the millions of embers blown kilometres away, the main source of setting alight many of those properties. This is the reason for the current houses on fire, then setting their neighbouring homes alight in the Californian horrendous situation.
My nephew also has a home there, (near the Film studios) at this stage not affected but it is not impossible to be part of this ongoing nature's wrath.
 
A lot of Americans don't insure because of the cost and when it comes to claiming the companies don't pay out.
My husbands uncle lived in Pittsburgh and his cousins in New York and neither had insurance, it was a discussion we had with them years ago.
Imagine the claims and the insurance Companies being able to pay out the full amounts people pay premiums for. No Insurance Companies pay the full replacement losses anyhow. It is usually an offer in their favour.
 
We were looking at buying in Wentworth Falls but decided against it because of high risk with bush fires . I love the area and often go for day trips out there as well as Katoomba
I lived at Katoomba in a bushland area for 23 years, and only twice had to pack the car to flee when embers became too heavy and the flames could be seen. But it was taken care of by the excellence of the Bush Fire brigade, so apart from smoke was not affected. Few homes in the Blue Mountains ( pro rata) have been lost in bushfires. Occasions as in 2013 fires increased by the winds that destroyed homes and 2 lives were lost.
At the sign of any bushfires in the area, I would water everything down, stuff the downpipes with wet sand in socks and fill the gutters with water that lasted and deterred embers from getting underneath the colour bond roof. This is how they often set fire to houses, through the gutters and eaves!! I had friends at Wentworth Falls who backed onto the valley but never had fires reach their old homes.
There are places in Sydney and everywhere that have high bushfire hazards equal to those in the suburban mountains!! The south coast not so long ago is an example. Depends on the maintenance and luck!.
 
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A lot of Americans don't insure because of the cost and when it comes to claiming the companies don't pay out.
My husbands uncle lived in Pittsburgh and his cousins in New York and neither had insurance , it was a discussion we had with them years ago.

Go fly an aluminium kite in an electric storm.

and why should i care??

Go fly an aluminium kite in an electric storm.
Ah witty ! Poor person l can just see the sparks:oops:
 
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So the fact that they are taking people who have been evacuated into their home is not on your radar???? Shame on you. They are not taking just anyone as that would be too dangerous, but many people who are known to them and others no doubt with a certain clearance. Those bathrooms will come in handy. A good news story
 

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