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A fast-moving fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, threatening iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl and Walk of Fame, while firefighters continued to battle three other major wildfires burning out of control across Los Angeles.
The Sunset Fire, located just a mile from the Walk of Fame, caused chaos in the area.
Traffic snarled as sirens blared, and helicopters hovered overhead, dumping water on the flames.
Photo: BBC
Tourists at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds were forced to evacuate, with some walking towards the fire to capture footage on their phones.
The fires, which have already claimed five lives, prompted evacuation orders for 130,000 residents.
While winds eased slightly on Wednesday, the danger remained high, with erratic winds still fanning flames. Hundreds of out-of-state firefighters have joined the battle, but with wind gusts pushing embers miles ahead, the fires are difficult to control.
More than half a dozen schools have been damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, known for its appearances in Hollywood films. UCLA also cancelled classes for the week.
The most destructive fire, the Palisades Fire, has burned at least 1,000 structures in the Pacific Palisades area, reducing famous celebrity homes to ashes.
The fire levelled entire blocks, leaving only charred remains and blackened ruins.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that air operations were ongoing to control the flames. However, she warned that erratic winds could still hinder efforts, as seen during Tuesday night’s destructive fires.
The fires have not only ravaged homes but have also tested the city’s water systems and firefighting capabilities.
Pasadena’s Fire Chief Chad Augustin reported that between 200 and 500 buildings had been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Despite the challenges, the scope of destruction is just beginning to be understood as emergency crews continue to assess the damage.
