Tracy Austin sends emotional message to 'brave' firefighters for saving Getty Museum's $10 billion collection from LA wildfires

Former World No. 1 Tracy Austin has extended her heartfelt gratitude to the courageous firefighters and pilots risking their lives to battle the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires. Austin celebrated the relentless efforts of these unsung heroes amid the destruction and heartbreak caused by the fires.

The Los Angeles wildfires, which erupted in early January 2025, have left a trail of destruction and despair. With at least 11 lives lost and over 180,000 residents forced to evacuate their homes, the fires have caused unimaginable suffering.

The Palisades Fire alone has scorched approximately 26.9 square miles and obliterated nearly 2,000 structures. At the same time, the combined fury of the Palisades and Eaton Fires has ravaged over 26,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,000 buildings.

The economic toll is staggering, with estimated damages ranging from $135 to $150 billion, potentially making this one of the most costly wildfire events in U.S. history.

Despite the chaos, the community's unwavering support for the tireless efforts of firefighters and pilots has been heartening.

On January 11, 2025, Tracy Austin took to Instagram to share her heartfelt appreciation for the courageous men and women on the front lines. In her post, she thanked the firefighters for protecting the Getty Museum's $10 billion collection from the wildfires, writing:

"Thank you to the brave heroes fighting the LA fires! After 5 days of hearing about friend after friend have their house burn down, so much devastation and heartbreak, this moment yesterday brought me joyous tears and a huge fist pump!!" Tracy Austin wrote.

"Gigantic plumes of smoke and fire from the Palisades Fire moving towards the Getty Museum and then a huge Super Scooper plane flies so low close the fire, drops the orange retardant and douses a big chunk of fire. Let’s Go!! Thank you, thank you to the pilots and firefighters working punishing overtime shifts to try to stop this insanity!!" Tracy Austin added.

The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles houses a collection valued at over $10 billion. It features Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity and European art from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. In 2017, the museum acquired 16 Old Master drawings and one 18th-century painting for over $100 million, including works by Michelangelo, Rubens, and Goya.

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Tennis legend Martina Navratilova joins Tracy Austin in expressing grief for LA residents affected by wildfires

In Picture: Martina Navratilova during the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards press conference (Image source: Getty)

Martina Navratilova has expressed her concern for the residents of Los Angeles on social media, sharing a post about the disaster that was accompanied by three crying emojis.

Tennis legend Serena Williams, and tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, also shared an emotional message about the LA wildfires.