Disney Legend Joe Rohde Reflects on the California Wildfires — “Send a Prayer”
The wildfire situation in California went from bad to worse last night when yet another blaze started in Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canon.
With the Palisades Fire, Hurst Fire, Lidia Fire, and Eaton Fire already burning, overwhelmed firefighters were confronted with another blaze, this time just one mile away from popular tourist locations, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood sign.
Since the fires began on Tuesday, 2,000 buildings have burned, 130,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, and five casualties have been reported.
Photo: The Hollywood Reporter
As Walt Disney Studios is located just miles away from the blaze, the California wildfires have hit home for Disney employees, Cast Members, and fans.
Joe Rohde Shares His Story
Reflecting on the destruction, Imagineer Joe Rohde took to Instagram last night to tell his story.
“Way back when Imagineering was hiring for Epcot, one of the few places we young imagineers could afford to get a house was Altadena, a sleepy, little foothill community full of wonderful old houses that needed some love and attention. So homespun and midwestern in flavor that all of you across the country have seen it hundreds of times standing in for anywhere America in film and television,” he began.
Photo: Disney
“First, a few of us moved up there, and then more, until there was quite a population of Imagineers living in the Altadena foothills. Over the decades new generations joined us. Our children grew up there, went to school, learned to drive, even got married where the palms and pines came together.”
A Personal Tragedy
Continuing his reflections, Rohde explained that the Imagineers who brought Disney magic to millions of guests around the world have had to watch as their homes went up in flames.
Photo: Disney
“Most of the places where we all lived burnt to ashes last night. The homes of many Imagineers who worked on many of the parks and attractions that Disney fans know and love are gone. Homes filled with memories, care, love and the expression of the same creative talent that went into the parks and films. Fire, when it comes, comes so fast that we must leave that all behind,” he explained.
Photo: Walt Disney Imagineering
“Pacific Palisades and Malibu are more famous and their equally devastating situation easily captures the nations eye. But Altadena was our home and home base. And as of this evening much of my old neighborhood of Altadena has vanished. With it the homes of many of my dear friends and colleagues. Send a prayer.”
Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With California
As firefighters continue to battle the flames and residents face unimaginable loss, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted by the fires.
You can read Joe Rohde’s full post below:
View this post on Instagram
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, thanks for reading!
