Nina Dobrev Reveals She Evacuated Her L.A. Home on Her Birthday, Says She Has 'Survivor's Guilt' amid Fires

“I have been absolutely sick to my stomach with all the destruction and devastation that these fires have caused," the actress said on Instagram as she made an emotional plea to her followers to help those affected

Getty Images for The Business of Fashion Nina Dobrev at the Business of Fashion BoF 500 Class of 2024 during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 28, 2024

Getty Images for The Business of Fashion

Nina Dobrev at the Business of Fashion BoF 500 Class of 2024 during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 28, 2024

Nina Dobrev is speaking out after evacuating her home in Los Angeles amid the ongoing wildfires in L.A.

On Saturday, Jan. 18, the actress, 36, shared an emotional video about the fires on Instagram as she revealed that she had to evacuate her home on her 36th birthday on Jan. 9.

“Hi everyone, it’s been such a tragic time in Los Angeles recently,” she began. “I have been absolutely sick to my stomach with all the destruction and devastation that these fires have caused and displaced so many families.”

Dobrev continued, “My heart is broken for all the people affected by these wildfires.”

“We evacuated on January 9th, definitely not how I planned on spending my birthday, but I wanted to make this video to thank everyone for their birthday wishes and to make a request,” she said.

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The Vampire Diaries alum went on to admit she has been "feeling survivor’s guilt,” adding that her home “made it” despite being close to one of the fires.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty  Nina Dobrev at the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Show at The Shed on September 10, 2024 in New York City

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Nina Dobrev at the Michael Kors Collection Spring/Summer 2025 Runway Show at The Shed on September 10, 2024 in New York City

Related: Celebrities Who Have Lost Homes in the Los Angeles Fires, and What They've Said

“But so many others were not so lucky,” she added as she made a plea to her followers to donate to people who are in need and shared how she had researched how she could help, which led to her discovering that many shelters have more than enough clothes.

“What people really need right now is financial aid to help them get back on their feet and start rebuilding their lives and their homes,” she said.

Dobrev then directed her followers to a spreadsheet in her bio, which highlights GoFundMe links to families in need following the fires.

“So for my birthday this year I went down that list and I donated to those families and it would be my birthday wish and I would love it if you could do the same,” she continued. “Small or big donations that’s up to you, whatever is within your means.”

ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Volunteers carrying water amid the Los Angeles fires

ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty

Volunteers carrying water amid the Los Angeles fires

Related: Hero Meteorologist Saved Hundreds with His Early Fire Warnings. Here's What He's Worried About Next (Exclusive)

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She added, “If you have the ability to help someone, please do.”

Dobrov went on to mention that many have not only lost all their belongings, but have also experienced their insurance companies dropping them.

“They’ve lost everything and my heart breaks into a million pieces for them,” she said.

The star's post also included several snaps of the devastation caused by the fires.

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Directing her followers to the Google doc in her bio that leads to the GoFundMe pages, Dobrov wrote in her caption: "There is a dedicated section for the Black families & other historically marginalized groups in the Altadena community who have been hit especially hard.”

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“Thank you for your support always, but especially now. The road to rebuilding and healing for so many families who have lost everything starts now, and it will be a long one… ❤️‍🩹 #LosAngelesfires,” her caption added.

Thousands of L.A. residents are still under evacuation orders. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner also updated on Jan. 16, that the death toll had risen to 27 amid the fires.

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