At least five people have lost their lives as wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, leaving behind widespread destruction and forcing residents to evacuate their homes. Among the ongoing blazes, a new fire named the Sunset Fire has erupted in the Hollywood Hills, putting several iconic landmarks, including the Hollywood sign and Dolby Theatre, at risk.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Sunset Fire has grown to 20 acres and is burning between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park. Other landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywood Walk of Fame are also in danger.
On Wednesday evening, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, extending south to Hollywood Boulevard. Evacuations have also been ordered near the Palisades Fire, the San Fernando Valley (Hurst Fire), and areas in Santa Monica and Altadena (Eaton Fire).
JUST IN: The Hollywood Hills have caught on fire, triggering an evacuation order all the way down to Hollywood Boulevard.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 9, 2025
Fire crews are thin at the moment due to them fighting the 16,000-acre Palisades Fire and 600-acre Eaton Fire.
“A Mandatory Evacuation Order is now in place… pic.twitter.com/IeMiQ5aI7n
Currently, six wildfires are raging across Los Angeles and neighboring Ventura County. While the Woodley Fire has reduced in size, all other fires remain completely uncontained. The Palisades Fire, which ignited on Tuesday, has been deemed the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
The wildfires have displaced over 137,000 residents, with smoke and dust advisories affecting 17 million people across Southern California. Power outages have worsened the crisis, leaving more than 1.5 million customers without electricity, including over 957,000 in Los Angeles County and 334,000 in Ventura County. Firefighters have reported severe water shortages, forcing them to use water from swimming pools and ponds.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, calling the situation “a highly dangerous windstorm” that has significantly elevated fire risks. Newsom highlighted the rapid growth of the Palisades Fire as an example of the extreme conditions.
The situation has drawn criticism from President-elect Donald Trump, who blamed President Joe Biden and Governor Newsom for inadequate wildfire preparedness.
Trump criticized Biden for leaving insufficient resources for firefighting and accused Newsom of prioritizing environmental policies over human safety. In response, Biden signed a federal disaster declaration to provide federal funding for affected individuals and canceled a planned trip to Italy to focus on the crisis.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced backlash for her absence during the outbreak of the fires, as she was on a trip to Africa. Bass defended her actions, stating she was in constant communication with city officials during her travel. However, she has also been criticized for reducing the fire department’s budget by over $17 million last year.
Many Hollywood celebrities have been directly impacted by the fires, with actors like Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton losing their homes. Others, including Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, and Steven Spielberg, have residences in the affected areas.
To support recovery efforts, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that SpaceX would provide free Starlink terminals to affected areas, starting Thursday morning. Meanwhile, firefighting efforts continue as Southern California braces for more challenging days ahead.
