LA fires: Netflix, Universal, Beyoncé and others pledge support – Who donated and how much as tragic blaze kills 24

LA fires: Amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, major studios and celebrities have stepped up to provide support as the fires continue to rage, claiming the lives of at least 24 people. In less than a week, four fires around the nation’s second-biggest city have scorched more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometres), roughly three times the size of Manhattan.

Who donated and how much?

1. Eva Longoria: Eva Longoria has pledged $1 million. The actress has donated part of the $50 million (£41 million) Courage and Civility Award she received from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

2. Beyoncé: The singer contributed $2.5 million to a newly launched LA Fire Relief Fund created by her charitable foundation, BeyGOOD. In an announcement on Instagram, she wrote, "The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires.” 

3. Netflix: In a blog post, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos wrote, “Netflix will be donating $10 million split between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund, and Entertainment Community Fund, to provide immediate relief and will continue to support families and businesses as they work to rebuild in the months and years ahead.” 

He added, “Beyond this financial contribution, we are directly assisting all of our impacted employees at this incredibly difficult time, including assistance with temporary housing needs for those who lost their homes. We are also continuing to double-match all employee charitable contributions through our employee giving program.”

4. 12 Los Angeles sports teams: Twelve Los Angeles pro sports teams, including Angel City FC, the Angels, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, Kings, LAFC, Lakers, Rams and Sparks, have pledged to donate a combined $8 million to support victims of the Los Angeles wildfires and those fighting the blazes.

5. Comcast NBCUniversal: Comcast NBCUniversal pledged $10 million each to organisations offering aid to victims of the LA-area wildfires. Comcast Corporation Chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts allocated $2.5 million of its $10 million cash commitment to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative. The remainder of the money would go to other charitable foundations helping victims.

6. Walt Disney Company: The company is committed to donating $15 million "for initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts." Those funds would be earmarked for the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and other organisations.

7. Paramount: Paramount Global's co-chiefs, Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy and George Cheeks, wrote a memo to staff stating that the company would donate $1 million to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Red Cross, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen and Best Friends Animal Society.

8. Yuri Williams: Yuri Williams, well-known for his non-profit organisation 'AFutureSuperHero And Friends', donned a 'Deadpool' costume and hauled $2,000 worth of toys to a temporary Los Angeles-area donation centre.

9. Halle Berry and Sharon Stone: Hollywood actresses Halle Berry and Sharon Stone have stepped up to assist families impacted by the severe wildfires in Los Angeles. The two celebrities contributed clothing and essential items to The Coop, a Beverly Hills shop gathering supplies for those displaced by the disaster.

10. Jamie Lee Curtis: Jamie Lee Curtis, alongside her husband Christopher Guest, also made headlines by donating $1 million to the victims of the fires.

According to a Page Six report, Kylie Jenner, Mark Zuckerberg, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle contributed to local relief organisations. The report also added that Jennifer Garner volunteered her time with World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organisation that provides meals to those impacted by disasters. Furthermore, actress Angelina Jolie and her 16-year-old son, Knox, have been helping by sheltering people at their Los Feliz home. "Right now, I'm taking care of people close to me and having them at my house," the Maria actor said, as reported by Page Six.

(With inputs from agencies)