Hollywood Hills; Majority of Evacuation Orders Lifted
The new blaze lit up near Runyon Canyon, which is in the vicinity of iconic Los Angeles locations and tourist destinations.
Another fire broke out Wednesday night in Los Angeles, this time endangering iconic landmark the Hollywood Bowl.
Named the Sunset Fire, flames broke out in Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills at around 5:30 p.m. The spreading fire was close to Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
That’s also in the vicinity of iconic Los Angeles locations and tourist destinations including the Magic Castle, the private magicians’ club; The Comedy Store; the TCL Chinese Theatre; the El Capitan Theatre; Madame Tussauds Wax Museum; Ovation Hollywood; Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; and the Bowl.
“Due to the Sunset Fire, we have received evacuation orders and all Hollywood Bowl staff have safely evacuated the premises,” the Hollywood Bowl wrote on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday evening. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters who are working tirelessly to protect our community.”
Just before midnight, the Los Angeles Fire Department shared that the “majority of the Evacuation Zone for the Sunset Fire is LIFTED with the EXCEPTION of the area North of Franklin Ave from Camino Palmero St (East border) to N Sierra Bonita Ave. (West border).
An evacuation order was previously put into place Wednesday night around 6 p.m. for the area from Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the west to the 101 Freeway on the east, and Mulholland Drive on the north to Hollywood Boulevard on the south. Around 60 to 100 acres were reportedly burning as of 9 p.m.
Several tourist locations announced their closure on social media due to the fires, including the Magic Castle, which appeared under threat from flames at one point, according to social media posts. Randy Pitchford wrote on X that the iconic spot was “safe thanks to the heroic efforts by some Magic Castle heroes and the LAFD.”
Further down Hollywood Boulevard is the Pantages Theatre, while the Capitol Records building is located on Vine Street in Hollywood.
Later Wednesday night, at 8:52 p.m., another fire, named the Sunswept Fire, broke out inside a Studio City home before spreading to nearby houses and brush.
Shortly after 10 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department said they’d contained most of the blaze.
The fires began in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning, forcing the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents and burning 15,800 acres so far. Firefighters are also currently battling six blazes, including the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Woodley fires, in various areas of Los Angeles County.
The homes of numerous stars have been destroyed, including those of Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, Eugene Levy, Anna Faris, Cary Elwes, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, James Woods, Diane Warren, Cameron Mathison and Ricki Lake.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles posted an update on its X account around midnight Wednesday going into Thursday. “Critical fire weather will last through Friday for portions of LA and Ventura counties, including major wildfire locations such as the #PalisadesFire, the #EatonFire, and the #HurstFire,” it said. “Gusty winds and very dry conditions will continue to fuel fire starts and existing fires.”
The Hollywood Bowl opened in 1929 and is among L.A.’s top outdoor venues. Its iconic concentric-arched bandshell has hosted such iconic artists as the Beatles, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald and more.