As residents of Santa Barbara keep an eye on the Lake Fire, so too are fans of the late King of Pop. Michael Jackson’s beloved Neverland Ranch is in danger from the huge wildfire. Fans of the singer know how much he loved the place he called home for many years.
The Lake Fire is currently California’s largest active wildfire. Despite diligent work by firefighters and other emergency response personnel, the fire is only 8% contained as of Monday evening. The fire has raged since Friday afternoon and has prompted evacuation orders in the area.
Currently, no one inhabits the 2,700 acre property, which has been in the process of restoration since it was purchased in 2020. Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch — now owned by family friend billionaire hospitality investor Ron Burkle — is in the evacuation zone.
Captain Scott Safechuck, spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, told TMZ that crews are ready to protect Neverland Ranch. Preparations are already on-site, ready to tackle any flames that come that way.
While the area recognizes the significance of the property, the spokesman emphasized that there’s no special treatment, citing a local high school that’s also in danger and receiving the same treatment. Officials ask fans to avoid visiting and instead let the professionals handle it.
Neverland Will Appear in the Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic
This past spring, Neverland Ranch was listed among the locations for Michael, the 2025 biopic about the King of Pop. Production was granted permission to film there, and scenes were allegedly shot on location in April and May.
Though the property was once a major pride point for the pop icon, its memory was tainted in later years. After the 2005 accusations against Jackson, of which he was ultimately acquitted, the press surrounded the home. The police raid of the property aired on live television. Jackson left the home after that time and never returned.
Since his death, Paris Jackson has shared memories of living on the property. As much as they appreciated the grandiose surroundings, the only daughter of the King of Pop says they were raised on hard work and gratitude.
We were lucky enough to be raised with solid morals. He would be like: “Oh, you want to go to Toys ‘R’ Us and get five toys? Great. You need to read five books — and I will test you on those books.”
It was very clear to us that those rides and the zoo were for underprivileged children — children who were sick and couldn’t go to Disneyland.
If we were good, and we did our homework and we worked hard throughout the week, maybe we could go at the weekends, but we had to earn it.
Paris Jackson, Evening Standard
