LOS ANGELES — A rapidly spreading wildfire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, posing a threat to one of the most recognized areas of Los Angeles. Firefighters were simultaneously working to control three other significant fires throughout the region that have already claimed five lives, forced 100,000 residents to evacuate, and devastated neighborhoods from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena inland.
Known as the Sunset Fire, the blaze was burning close to the Hollywood Bowl and approximately a mile from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The vicinity around Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds experienced heavy traffic as emergency sirens rang out and helicopters flew overhead, dropping water onto the advancing flames. Visitors checked out of local hotels carrying their suitcases as curious onlookers edged closer to record the unfolding disaster with their mobile devices.
As the fire spread, more than 1,000 structures—primarily homes—were destroyed, and evacuation orders were issued for over 130,000 individuals within the metropolitan area.
Winds had subsided somewhat on Wednesday, following a day when extremely strong winds propelled embers throughout neighborhoods, igniting an alarming number of homes. Assisted by firefighters from neighboring states, the battle against four simultaneous out-of-control fires highlighted the ongoing hazards posed by the blazes.
Numerous schools in the affected region sustained damage or complete destruction, including Palisades Charter High School, a site that has appeared in multiple Hollywood productions.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported that aerial operations were actively combating the flames, although she cautioned that unpredictable winds still presented significant challenges. The situation was particularly dire on Tuesday evening when much of the destruction took place due to storm-like gusts.
In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin revealed that the Eaton Fire, which ignited Tuesday night, had damaged or destroyed between 200 and 500 structures. He mentioned that the city’s water supply faced strains, compounded by power outages, making firefighting efforts exceedingly difficult amid the chaos caused by embers blown by gusty winds.
“We were not stopping that fire last night,” Augustin stated. “Those erratic wind gusts caused embers to travel for miles ahead of the fire.”
In areas along the Pacific Coast west of downtown Los Angeles, blazes leveled entire blocks and left grocery stores and banks in ruins within Pacific Palisades, a scenic area known for its celebrity residences.
The Palisades fire was the most destructive of its kind in recent Los Angeles history, decimating over 1,000 structures. Many individuals, including first responders, suffered injuries, as reported by LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
The extent of the devastation is just beginning to be acknowledged; row after row of California Mission Style homes were reduced to ashes, with only charred remnants and stone fireplaces left behind.
Swimming pools became filled with soot, and luxury vehicles stood lost on melted tires.
As the flames encroached on his neighborhood, resident Jose Velasquez made efforts to wet his Altadena home while embers descended onto the roof. He succeeded in protecting his house, which also serves as a base for their churro business, but others were not as fortunate, with several neighbors losing their homes while at work.
“We had to reach out to some folks, keeping them updated on the status of their properties,” he said. “It was heartbreaking to inform them that their houses were gone.”
Outside the burned areas, residents donned N95 masks to fend off the toxic smoke engulfing large parts of the city.
Notable personalities have also suffered losses, with actors such as Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, and Paris Hilton revealing they faced property losses in the ongoing fires.
Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their residence of 45 years to the Palisades Fire, describing it as a home filled with love and cherished memories.
In Palisades Village, significant community landmarks—a library, major grocery stores, banks, and boutiques—have been reduced to rubble.
“It’s surreal returning to a place that feels non-existent anymore,” stated Dylan Vincent, who came back to gather belongings only to discover that his elementary school had burned down and entire blocks had been erased.
The wildfires have consumed around 42 square miles (108 square kilometers)—a vast area nearly equivalent to the size of San Francisco.
The rapid movement of flames left many residents with little time to escape. In a frantic effort for safety in Pacific Palisades, roads became congested as numerous individuals abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot.
California’s wildfire seasons are beginning earlier and extending longer due to warmer temperatures and less precipitation—a trend attributed to climate change. According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, rains typically signaling the end of fire season are increasingly delayed, contributing to fires that may rage on through winter.
Additionally, dry winds, including the infamous Santa Ana, have resulted in higher-than-usual temperatures in Southern California, with rainfall measurements remaining incredibly low since early May.
Reports indicated winds reaching up to 80 mph (129 kph) on Wednesday, with forecasts calling for gusts between 35 and 55 mph (56 to 88 kph) that could increase in mountainous terrain. Fire conditions were expected to persist through Friday.
In response to the crisis, President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency declaration after meeting with Governor Gavin Newsom at a Santa Monica fire station, where National Guard troops were deployed for assistance.
Multiple Hollywood studios paused production activities, closing Universal Studios between Pasadena and Pacific Palisades amidst the havoc.
With an estimated destruction of 1,000 structures and an ongoing fire, the Palisades Fire is deemed the most catastrophic in contemporary Los Angeles history, eclipsing the 2008 Sayre fire that damaged just over 600 buildings, according to records maintained by wildfire prevention organizations.
In a bid to mitigate risks associated with the fires, Southern California Edison temporarily cut power to thousands of customers, with the potential for 1.5 million customers facing outages depending on conditions.
Several beloved local landmarks reportedly suffered extensive damage, including the Reel Inn in Malibu, a seafood establishment whose owner, Teddy Leonard, expressed hopes of rebuilding despite the challenges.
“In the grand scheme of things, as long as your family is safe and alive, you can still consider it a victory, right?” she remarked.
