Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on February 22, 2025, 7:57 AM

You can imagine the Pacific Palisades: sun-kissed beaches, lush greenery, and fancy homes. Now picture it scorched, barren, and changed forever by a raging wildfire. Actor Gabriel Macht, known for Suits, grew up near this paradise. Learning about what happened? It broke his heart.

After moving out of the United States with his family, the Suits alum said it was "bittersweet" to return to the city in which he was raised after it was ravaged by wildfires in January.

"This is where I grew up and there's a lot of people struggling right now," Gabriel—who visited one of the neighborhoods affected by the tragedy before attending the Feb. 20 premiere of Suits LA shared. "It's tough."

The Pacific Palisades wildfire was awful. It tore through the area, leaving a trail of destruction. Homes were ruined. Nature was wrecked. How did this awful event happen?

The fire caused a lot of problems right away. Homes suffered. People had to leave. Nature got hurt.

• Homes destroyed: Some people lost their homes. Think about that awful experience.
• Displacement: Many had to evacuate. They found shelter elsewhere.
• Environmental damage: Trees and animals suffered a great loss. The landscape changed.

Gabriel Macht has special feelings toward the Pacific Palisades. He saw its beauty when growing up. This explains why the damage hits him hard. Macht's early years in Los Angeles shaped him. Did the Pacific Palisades influence him? It's likely! The area is known for its beauty and community.

Macht now lives outside the U.S. Why did he leave? Different reasons can cause such a change. Maybe he wanted something new and different, maybe perhaps it was for work?

Despite the "heartbreaking" scene, the 53-year-old said it was also "nice to see the resilience of the city."

"We'll definitely bounce back," he continued, "but there are challenging times."

Gabriel and his wife Jacinda Barrett decided to relocate with their kids Satine, 17, and Luca, 11, during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the family of four had been living in New York City.

"I want to see how the world looks in different people's eyes," Gabriel recently shared the reason behind his international move. "I want to see different perspectives. I want to learn from others. I want to see history and culture and character in different places in the world."

Besides, he noted, "It's a great way to raise kids." 

Macht remembers the Palisades before the fire. What images come to his mind? It was surely a place of beauty and peace. It's now scarred by the wildfire. The wildfire didn't just affect buildings. It hurt the environment badly. This impact could last for years.

The fire wrecked the natural balance. Plants and animals suffered. How long will it take for things to get better?

• Habitat loss: Animals lost their homes. Where will they go?
• Plant destruction: Many plants were burned. This changes the landscape.
• Ecosystem imbalance: Everything in nature connects. Losing parts throws the system off.

Smoke filled the air during and after the fire. Ash and chemicals could get into the water. This makes people worry about their health. People are also working to help the environment heal. They are planting trees. They want to bring life back.

"I lost a lot of time with my daughter growing up while we were doing Suits, because those 14, 16-hour days," Gabriel, who starred on all nine seasons of the series until it wrapped in 2019, shared "and so I made a strong choice to not do that during my son's upbringing."

So, will he ever move back to the U.S. for work??

"I had very little interest in coming back to work as an actor right now," he explained in January, "because I spent so much time [doing it]."

Gabriel added, "I got out of town and we're exploring the world."

The people of Pacific Palisades are strong. They are working together to rebuild. They show great hope. Local groups help those in need. Volunteers offer time and support. This sense of community is powerful.

The government provides assistance too. This can include money and other resources. It helps people get back on their feet. Even after such a disaster, good things happen. People help each other. These stories show the strength of the human spirit.

The Pacific Palisades wildfire teaches important lessons. How can we prevent such disasters in the future? What must we do to better protect our homes and community?

We can all take steps to lower the risk of wildfires. Simple actions can make a big difference.

• Clear brush around homes: Keep flammable materials away from your house.
• Maintain your landscape: Trim trees and remove dead leaves.
• Be careful with fire: Never leave a campfire unattended.

Climate change makes wildfires more likely. Hotter temperatures and drier conditions increase the danger. We have to take climate change seriously. We can all make choices to help the environment. Using less energy and reducing waste are great ways to start. This will help protect our communities.

Gabriel Macht's sadness reminds us of the fire's devastation. It's a call to action. We must support recovery. We need to protect the environment. By working together, we can prevent future disasters.