Hollywood Hills blaze ignites amid deadly wildfires raging across Los Angeles.us news.

 Hollywood Hills blaze ignites amid deadly wildfires raging across Los Angeles.

A residence burns as a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo/Eugene Garcia)

LOS ANGELES — A fast-moving fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, threatening one of Los Angeles’ most iconic areas as firefighters struggled to contain three other deadly wildfires across the region. The blazes have claimed five lives, forced 130,000 residents to evacuate, and devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.

Dubbed the Sunset Fire, the latest blaze ignited near the Hollywood Bowl, about a mile from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Although winds calmed on Wednesday after hurricane-force gusts had fanned flames the previous day, the four uncontrolled fires continued to pose a significant threat. Hundreds of firefighters from other states have joined the effort, but officials warned the danger is far from over.

More than half a dozen schools in the region were either damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, a filming location for classics like Carrie (1976) and the TV series Teen Wolf. UCLA also canceled classes for the rest of the week.

In Hollywood, streets near landmarks like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds were choked with gridlocked traffic as sirens wailed and helicopters flew low to drop water on the flames. Tourists and locals fled hotels on foot, dragging suitcases, while some curious onlookers walked toward the fires, recording the destruction on their phones.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported that air operations were actively working to douse the flames but warned that “erratic winds” continued to pose a threat. Though less severe than Tuesday evening—when aircraft were grounded and much of the destruction occurred—the conditions remained challenging.

In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin estimated that the Eaton Fire, which ignited Tuesday night, had damaged or destroyed between 200 and 500 structures. The city’s water system was stretched thin and further hampered by power outages. Swimming pools were coated in soot, and sports cars sat on melted tires.

As flames tore through his Altadena neighborhood, Jose Velasquez sprayed water on his family’s home to extinguish embers raining down on the roof. His efforts saved the house, which also serves as their churro business, but many of his neighbors were less fortunate.

“Some were at work when they lost their homes,” Velasquez said. “We had to call people and answer messages asking if their house was still standing. For some, we had to tell them it wasn’t.”

Chief Augustin added that the intense, erratic winds made it impossible for firefighters to fully contain the fire. “Gusts were throwing embers miles ahead of the flames,” he explained.

Meanwhile, on the Pacific Coast west of downtown Los Angeles, the Palisades Fire destroyed entire blocks in the affluent Pacific Palisades area, known for its celebrity homes and its place in the Beach Boys’ 1960s hit Surfin’ USA. Grocery stores, banks, and homes were reduced to rubble, making it the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles’ history, with at least 1,000 structures burned.

The scope of the devastation became increasingly clear: block after block of California Mission-style homes and bungalows were reduced to ash, leaving behind only stone fireplaces, blackened arched entryways, and ornate iron railings twisted around smoldering ruins. The apocalyptic scenes stretched for miles, a stark reminder of the fire's catastrophic power.

Beyond the scorched landscapes, residents donned N95 masks to endure the toxic smoke blanketing vast sections of Los Angeles.

Celebrities Among the Displaced

The flames pushed into affluent neighborhoods like Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to many of California’s elite. Among the stars reporting the loss of their homes on Wednesday were Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, and Paris Hilton.

Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, also lost their home of 45 years in the Palisades Fire. "We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love and beautiful memories that can’t be taken away," the couple shared in a statement.

In Palisades Village, destruction included the public library, two major grocery stores, several boutiques, and a pair of banks.

For many, returning to their neighborhoods was surreal. "It’s just weird coming back to somewhere that doesn’t exist anymore," said Dylan Vincent, who visited the area to recover belongings and found his elementary school and entire blocks flattened.

The fires have devastated approximately 42 square miles (108 square kilometers), nearly the size of San Francisco.

Rapid Flames and Narrow Escapes

The fires spread so quickly that many residents had little time to flee. Police officers took refuge in their patrol cars, while caregivers pushed elderly residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to safety.

In Pacific Palisades, clogged roads forced panicked residents to abandon vehicles and escape on foot.

Climate Change Extends Fire Season

California’s wildfire season has lengthened due to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall linked to climate change. Delayed rains, which traditionally mark the season’s end, now allow fires to burn into winter.

Southern California’s infamous Santa Ana winds compounded the crisis. Gusts reached 80 mph (129 kph) on Wednesday, with forecasters predicting continued winds between 35-55 mph (56-88 kph) through Friday, further fueling fire conditions.

Damage to Landmarks and Disruptions to Daily Life

President Joe Biden issued a federal emergency declaration during a visit to a Santa Monica fire station, where he received updates from Gov. Gavin Newsom. National Guard troops were deployed to assist firefighting efforts.

Major Hollywood studios suspended production, and Universal Studios shut down its theme park between Pasadena and Pacific Palisades. By Wednesday evening, over 456,000 people were without power in Southern California, according to PowerOutage.us.

Several iconic landmarks suffered severe damage, including the Reel Inn in Malibu. Restaurant owner Teddy Leonard remained optimistic despite the devastation. "In the grand scheme of things, as long as your family is well and everyone’s alive, you’re still winning, right?" she said.

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Report Contributors: Golden (Seattle), Watson (San Diego), Weber and Garcia (Los Angeles), Swope (Pasadena), and others from across the U.S. and abroad contributed to this report.

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