Saskatoon-born actor Kim Coates is leaning on his community following the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
Thankfully for Coates, his home was spared. But some of his neighbours weren’t so lucky.
“We got to walk around (the neighbourhood), there was a lot of hugs, a lot of crying on the street from people who’ve lost everything,” he said.
Read more:
- Is Saskatchewan prepared for the 2025 wildfire season?
- LISTEN: Former Roughrider from Regina sheltering at centre of L.A. fires
- VIDEO: Woman from Sask. loses home in California wildfire
Coates joined The Evan Bray Show on Friday to give his home province an update.
“Being a Saskatchewan boy like I am, I always want to let them let my people know in Saskatchewan what’s going on with me, not only in the good times but in the sad times, too,” he said.
Listen to the full interview here:
The investment Coates made into his roof and installing double-paned glass likely helped save his home.
He also credits his neighbour John for the action he took while Coates was in New York and away from his home.
I was in NY for my American Primeval premiere … which was basically cancelled out of respect for the fires and tragedy
They brought 😞. Am now on route to LA to see what’s left of my amazing area. So so sad … Mother Nature doesn’t pick sides … love you all peeps. KC x— Kim Coates (@KimFCoates) January 9, 2025
“John’s fantastic. He needs a gold star for sure. He went around at midnight, and he’s an electrician, so he knows what he’s doing. He shut off everyone’s gas lines,” Coates said.
“When the winds changed and Mother Nature decided to blow easterly towards my home and everyone else on that block … he dowsed my palm trees right away with a lot of water.”
Coates said John refused to leave his home despite evacuation orders. Thankfully, John is okay.
Allegedly, some residents of LA are thinking of suing the city for being “underprepared.” Coates said, “That’s all complete garbage.”
He said Mother Nature had her way.
“Nothing ever could have been helpful in trying to put 100-mile-an-hour winds when the fires started,” Coates said.
“There was not one thing, not one fireman, not one LA County being more or less prepared.”
He said it all happened too fast.
“My entire city of Altadena — which will be forever changed — the people who saw it and witnessed it, and how quickly it happened, there was nothing that could have been done, nothing,” Coates said.
Coates said the community is cleaning up and plans to rebuild.
“With any disasters — Canada has them too — you look to community,” he said.
“My community of Altadena are really good people. They’re kind people, they’re caring people. They love each other’s neighbours. There’s no hate involved, and that’s the kind of people I want to hang with and be with.”
Read more: