Wildfires force 100,000 to evacuate as flames threaten iconic landmarks

Raging wildfires in Los Angeles have spread to the Hollywood Hills, prompting the evacuation of more than 100,000 people and stretching firefighting resources to their limits. The blazes, which erupted on Tuesday, have already claimed at least five lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and now threaten some of Hollywood’s most iconic landmarks.

“This firestorm is the big one,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated at a press conference, cutting short an official trip to Ghana to address the crisis. The Sunset Fire, which broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, has already scorched 50 acres, forcing more evacuations. Helicopter crews have been battling the flames, slowing its rapid advance.

The fire has forced the evacuation of areas surrounding Hollywood Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, the 101 Freeway, and Laurel Canyon Boulevard—addresses synonymous with the entertainment industry. The Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, lies within the evacuation zone, leading to a postponement of the upcoming Oscar nominations announcement.

While relatively smaller, the Sunset Fire poses a significant threat to Hollywood landmarks like the Walk of Fame and could potentially endanger the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory if it crosses the 101 Freeway.

Meanwhile, on Los Angeles’ west side, the Palisades Fire has consumed over 15,000 acres, racing through Topanga Canyon and reaching the Pacific Ocean. Aerial footage shows block after block of smoldering ruins in Pacific Palisades, with isolated orange blazes marking homes still burning.

To the east, the Eaton Fire has ravaged over 10,000 acres and claimed at least five lives. The combined damage and economic loss from the fires are estimated to exceed $50 billion, according to AccuWeather.

“We’re facing a historic natural disaster,” Kevin McGowan, director of emergency management for Los Angeles County, emphasized at a press conference. Despite brief relief in winds on Wednesday night, red flag conditions are expected to persist until Friday, keeping the region on high alert.

Power outages have impacted nearly 300,000 homes and businesses, and schools across Los Angeles County remain closed. Frances Colella, a 71-year-old retiree, described the devastation as unprecedented. “It’s a really sad occurrence, and I can’t remember anything like this,” she shared from an evacuation center in Pasadena.

The firefighting effort has been bolstered by reinforcements from six states, and an additional 1,000 personnel have been deployed from Northern California. However, water shortages have complicated efforts, with some hydrants running dry in Pacific Palisades. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has struggled to maintain water supplies, though all reservoirs were eventually refilled.

The fires have struck during an exceptionally dry period for Southern California, exacerbated by powerful Santa Ana winds. Scientists warn that such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent as global temperatures continue to rise.

President Joe Biden has declared the fires a major disaster and canceled an upcoming trip to Italy to focus on the federal response. “We’re doing anything and everything… to make sure you get back to normal,” Biden reassured residents during a briefing at a Santa Monica fire station. “It’s going to be a hell of a long way. It’s going to take time.”