Newly ignited L.A. fire triggers evacuation orders for 100,000 in Hollywood

A firefighting helicopter drops water as the newly ignited Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills that led to expanding evacuation orders in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

A fresh Los Angeles wildfire that ignited in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night is threatening homes and iconic L.A. landmarks, and it’s prompted authorities to issue expanding evacuation orders.

The big picture: The rapidly growing Sunset Fire that’s threatening Hollywood landmarks along with homes was one of multiple fires burning out of control across Los Angeles County on Wednesday night.

Five deaths were confirmed in one of the blazes which have razed at least 1,000 structures, including the homes of Hollywood actor Billy Crystal and media personality Paris Hilton, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.

State of play: The fire started at 5:57pm local time and by 9:25pm had grown to an estimated 60 acres near Runyon Canyon, only a few miles from the Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Video from the scene showed heavily congested roads in the densely populated area as residents raced to flee the out-of-control Sunset Fire.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said on X she’s “deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic” and officials were “working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.”
The number of those affected by evacuation orders is estimated to be over 100,000.
The Hollywood Bowl confirmed on X that the iconic amphitheater and public park was among those impacted by evacuation orders.

Screenshot: Hollywood Bowl/X