Celebrities share devastating extent of California fires on their homes

Celebrities have shared devastating photos of their homes after fires tore through parts of California as the death toll rises to 31 people and more than 220 remain missing.

Among those affected by the blaze as it swept through Malibu, west of LA, were Hollywood’s elite.

300 actor Gerard Butler shared a photo of his home burnt to the ground on Twitter after he returned to it over the weekend.

“Heartbreaking time across California,” Butler tweeted.

“Inspired as ever by the courage, spirit and sacrifice of firefighters.”

He thanked the LA Fire Department and encouraged people to donate.

Blurred Lines singer Robin Thicke’s home was also gutted however he updated his Instagram followers letting them know he and his family were safe after evacuating.

“We thank you for all the love and support we’ve received and we send our love and prayer to everyone affected by the fires,” he wrote.

“Count your blessings!”

He also thanked firefighters.

Scott Derrickson, director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Doctor Strange, also lost his home.

He shared images of the “smouldering”, “cooked” interior of his house on Twitter.

“We lost our home, but we are all safe and that’s the most important thing,” Derrickson tweeted.

Former Charmed star Shannen Doherty wrote on Instagram that while her house was fine the home belonging to her close friend burned down. It is also where Doherty got married.

“I’m devastated by all that’s happening,” she wrote.

“My heart is ripped apart.”

A publicist for Camille Grammer Meyer said the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star lost her home in the seaside enclave.

Former star of The Office Rainn Wilson was overseas as the fires came close to his home.

He updated followers on Twitter writing his pigs and dogs were rescued and house “barely” spared from the fire.

“The fire roared down the creek bed behind our house and missed it by a dozen yards!” Wilson tweeted.

Mark Hammill tweeted fires came “dangerously close” to his family home too, but they are all safe. He also expressed his support for the firefighters battling mother nature.

Orlando Bloom shared photos of the blaze down the street from his Malibu home.

The fires also threatened The Bachelor US Mansion.

The show’s director Mike Fleiss tweeted on Saturday he was unsure if the mansion made it through the blaze, but USA Today later confirmed the building was fine.

Firefighters wrestle for control

A one-day lull in the dry, northeasterly winds ended at mid-morning and authorities warned the gusts would continue through until Tuesday.

The lull allowed firefighters to gain 10 per cent control of the so-called Woolsey fire, which has burned more than 335 square kilometres in western Los Angeles County and southeastern Ventura County since Thursday.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby stressed there were numerous hotspots and plenty of fuel that had not yet burned, but at sunset he said there had been huge successes despite “a very challenging day”.

The count of destroyed homes remained at 177 but it was expected to increase when an update is reported on Monday.

He noted a November 1993 wildfire in Malibu destroyed more than 270 homes and said he would not be surprised if the total from the current fire would be higher.

– With Associated Press