A rapidly spreading fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, posing a threat to one of Los Angeles’ most iconic areas. At the same time, firefighters were working to contain three other significant blazes that resulted in five fatalities, forced 130,000 individuals to evacuate, and devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to inland Pasadena. The Sunset Fire started during an official news conference addressing ongoing efforts to combat large fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, with officials warning of continued high fire danger. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley swiftly left the conference after announcing the new fire, followed by the issuance of an evacuation order.
In the midst of the bustling Hollywood Walk of Fame and congested streets near the TCL Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds, sirens blaring and helicopters dumping water on the flames drew attention to the fire, located just a mile away. Some observers recorded the scene on their phones, while others evacuated hotels with suitcases in tow. Within a few hours, firefighters achieved significant progress, attributing their success to an aggressive initial response and more favorable weather conditions.
The previous day, strong winds propelled embers through the air, triggering fires in both the coastal Pacific Palisades and Altadena, a community east of Pasadena. The destruction caused by these blazes, named the Palisades and Eaton fires, has resulted in the loss of nearly 2,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, a figure expected to rise. The five reported fatalities occurred in the Eaton Fire. The Palisades Fire has already become the most devastating in Los Angeles’ history, consuming over 1,000 structures.
Numerous schools, including Palisades Charter High School, a prominent filming location, have been damaged or destroyed. UCLA suspended classes for the week. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed aerial firefighting efforts were underway, cautioning that unpredictable winds persisted, albeit not as severe as the previous evening when aircraft had to be grounded.
In Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin noted challenges posed by the city’s strained water system and power outages, exacerbated by intense winds fueling the flames. Jose Velasquez, a resident of Altadena, described frantically wetting down his family’s home and business to protect them from encroaching embers, an effort that saved his property but left many neighbors devastated.
In Pacific Palisades, an upscale coastal area known for celebrity residences, the devastating impact of the fires was evident as block after block of California Mission Style homes and bungalows lay in ruins.
Remains of the devastating wildfire were visible everywhere. An ornate iron railing encircled the charred remains of a house, while swimming pools were stained black with soot and sports cars lay deflated on melted tires. The scenes of destruction extended for miles, with actors like Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes, and Paris Hilton losing their homes. The flames continued their destructive path towards densely populated and affluent neighborhoods such as Calabasas and Santa Monica, where even more celebrities faced property loss. Billy Crystal and his wife Janice mourned the loss of their home of 45 years in the Palisades Fire, a place filled with cherished memories of raising their family.
In Palisades Village, essential establishments like the public library, grocery stores, banks, and boutiques were reduced to rubble. Residents returning to the neighborhood were met with the harsh reality of the devastation, with schools burned down and entire blocks erased by the fire. The rapid spread of the flames allowed little time for evacuation, with some seeking refuge in patrol cars and others being assisted on wheelchairs and hospital beds to safety.
The fires had already consumed an area equivalent to 42 square miles, almost the size of San Francisco. The escalating temperatures and decreased rainfall, attributed to climate change, have extended the wildfire season in California. Dry winds, notably the Santa Anas, have intensified the already warm weather in Southern California, exacerbating the fire conditions.
President Joe Biden declared a federal emergency upon his arrival in Santa Monica, where he met with Gov. Gavin Newsom to coordinate relief efforts. Hollywood studios halted production, and Universal Studios shut down its theme park as a precaution. Power outages affected over 330,000 people in Southern California, while several iconic landmarks suffered severe damage. Despite the devastation, there were stories of resilience and hope, with plans to rebuild and a focus on the safety and well-being of loved ones above all else.
Arthur Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; Jeff Martin in Atlanta; Janie Har in San Francisco; Brian Melley in London; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; and Tammy Webber in Detroit contributed to this report.
