Steve Guttenberg has remained in the public consciousness for decades, thanks to his upbeat persona and memorable roles in such 1980s touchstones as Three Men and a Baby, Short Circuit and the Police Academy franchise. But he has made a special impact of late, as his recent televised testimonials about the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires destroying his longtime Pacific Palisades neighborhood made the rounds on news broadcasts and social media.

After processing the week’s devastation, Guttenberg connected with The Hollywood Reporter to offer his candid assessment of his beloved community and the support it still desperately needs. His home is still standing, but his family has been without water and power, so the actor borrowed a neighbor’s satellite service to share an update on the dire situation and offer encouragement on ways to provide help.

It’s last Tuesday morning, 9 o’clock. Everything was idyllic. By 10:45 a.