How many stories of love and resilience have the raging Los Angeles wildfires reduced to ash? With four massive blazes scorching over 12,000 structures and displacing more than 130,000 people, the devastation is immense. Firefighters are pushing their limits, risking it all to keep the destruction at bay. In the midst of this chaos, Gilbert Arenas shared his harrowing experience during a recent podcast, offering a personal glimpse into how close the fires came to upending his life.

In a recent No Chill Gil episode, co-host Josiah Johnson opened the conversation with heartfelt words. “Prayers out to still everybody in LA impacted by these fires,” he said. Johnson shared the immense relief that the winds pushed the blaze away from his side, noting, “It was pushing up the past couple of days, but the winds will kind of push it the other way towards Brentwood and that side. So praying for everybody on that side, Mandeville, Kane, everybody over there that’s impacted right now.”

Guest Javaris Crittenton didn’t hold back his emotions either. “You know, I got family, my son is out there, man,” he said. “The fires are crazy, man. So definitely prayers up to everybody out there. It’s been very scary every single night, not knowing if it’s going to be the last night that I’ll be sleeping in my house ever. But you know, we’re holding it down.”

And Josiah also acknowledged that he and the ex-Warriors star were, fortunately, safe for now. “Gil, it’s funny, man—not funny—but they had these evacuation warning zones… that pushed up right to like Gil’s backyard, and I’m right down the street from Gil,” Josiah shared. Though out of immediate harm’s way, their gratitude was clear, with Josiah adding, “Just kind of keeping our prayers up.”

But Arenas isn’t alone in enduring this nightmare. Kawhi Leonard missed a game to stand by his family. Steve Kerr’s mother tragically lost her home, and JJ Redick’s family evacuated because of it. These wildfires have left an indelible mark on countless lives, including Arenas, who came far too close to losing it all.

Gilbert Arenas’ selfish reaction because of LA wildfire

The destructive LA wildfires have claimed 24 lives, scorched 40,000 acres, and forced nearly 180,000 people from their homes. While many responded with donations and support—like the NBA’s $1 million pledge and the Lakers’ donation drive—Gilbert Arenas admitted he had a different reaction during his No Chill Gil podcast. Instead of offering prayers, his first thought was all about self-preservation, a stark contrast to the collective efforts pouring in.

“I know this is wrong when I know this is wrong… I bought all the fire extinguishers… Was being selfish,” Gil admitted. “I was staying by myself, so I bought all those out, and then I bought, like, at least 12 water hoses and all that.”

Interestingly, Arenas wasn’t the only one relieved when the winds shifted. He revealed feeling a sense of relief as the fires turned towards other areas, a sentiment echoed by co-host Josiah Johnson. “Santa Ana winds and all those winds pushing it back towards some of the stuff, the fires that already happened. So it was kind of cannibalizing,” Johnson explained, giving context to how these shifting winds ironically reduced the immediate danger in their area. For Arenas, though, those winds brought not just safety but a moment of selfish clarity.