As wildfires continue to ravage Maui, the island's celebrity residents are not immune to the devastating effects. From Oprah Winfrey to Jeff Bezos, these high-profile homeowners are facing the heat, both literally and figuratively. Oprah Winfrey, who has been a part-time resident of Maui for over 15 years, owns extensive properties on the island.

Her 1,000-acre portfolio includes a farmhouse in Kula, southeast of Lahaina. Although wildfires threaten the area, she also possesses acreage near Mount Haleakala and Hana, which are relatively far from the fires' reach. PayPal's founder Peter Thiel splurged $27 million on a lavish home in Makena, southwest Maui, in 2011.

The fires are approaching South Maui, but Makena is roughly 10 miles away, raising concerns about the safety of Thiel's luxurious abode. Last year, Amazon's Jeff Bezos acquired a 14-acre estate in La Perouse Bay for a staggering $78 million.

Despite the fires burning less than 20 miles away in South Maui, Bezos's partner, Lauren Sánchez, expressed their heartbreak over the crisis and announced their intent to donate to relief efforts. Legendary Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, a long-time Lahaina resident, faced the destruction of his restaurant, Fleetwood's on Front Street, in the beloved historic hamlet.

Veteran actor Clint Eastwood has been enjoying his part-time residence in Kapalua, northwest Maui, since the late 1970s. The stunning ocean views and sunshine-rich environment provide a serene escape, although fires remain a cause of concern. Rockstar Steven Tyler owns a 3,000-square-foot mansion in Wailea, purchased for $4.8 million in 2012.

While Wailea has a degree of proximity to the South Maui fires, some of the region's resorts remain operational. Maui's allure has attracted not only celebrities but also tech executives like Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Larry Ellison, Oracle's executive who acquired 98 percent of Lanai, an island within Maui County.

Former President Barack Obama, born in Honolulu, expressed his empathy for the widespread devastation and shared his sadness over the distressing images coming from the island. The wildfires have not only affected the lives and properties of these high-profile residents but have also highlighted Maui's longstanding challenge with affordable housing for the workers who run its booming tourism industry.

The destruction in Lahaina has exacerbated the existing housing crisis on the island, where skyrocketing housing prices and a shortage of affordable housing have been ongoing issues. The fire damage is expected to further strain Maui's already insufficient housing supply and may cause many residents to confront the lack of affordable housing options.

Some workers have been forced to leave the island due to rising housing costs and have sought jobs on the U.S. mainland. Finding permanent housing for those displaced by the fires will be a significant challenge for the government, as Hawaii already faced an emergency order related to the housing shortage.

The cost of rebuilding homes and the high cost of living in Hawaii present additional obstacles to the recovery efforts. The fire may be the final straw for families in Maui's increasingly unequal economy, as many legacy houses are not insured or insulated, making the cost of rebuilding them prohibitive. The devastating wildfires have laid bare the longstanding housing issues on the island and have left many residents facing an uncertain future.

As the fires continue to rage, the lives and homes of both celebrities and ordinary residents have been brought into the spotlight, serving as a reminder that nature's fury can affect anyone, regardless of their status or fame.