A fast-moving wildfire erupted Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills, threatening iconic landmarks and forcing widespread evacuations. The blaze, named the Sunset Fire, had consumed at least 60 acres by late evening and remained completely uncontained, according to Cal Fire.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) issued mandatory evacuation orders shortly after 6 p.m. for areas stretching from Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Mulholland Drive, the 101 Freeway, and Hollywood Boulevard. Residents in parts of Beverly Hills and Hollywood north of Sunset Boulevard were also advised to prepare for voluntary evacuation.
Emergency crews scrambled to contain the fire, which ignited near homes and popular attractions like Runyon Canyon hiking trails. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) assisted in managing traffic as thousands of residents fled their homes. Mayor Karen Bass urged people to leave quickly and allow emergency vehicles access to the area.
“We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic, and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire,” Bass said in a statement. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s West Hollywood Station also advised residents to pack important documents, gather family members and pets, and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
The Sunset Fire’s proximity to world-famous Hollywood landmarks heightened concerns. The Hollywood Bowl, a renowned music venue, was evacuated as flames approached the area. The TCL Chinese Theatre and other tourist destinations along Sunset Boulevard also closed as the fire spread.
Images shared on social media showed flames creeping uphill and thick smoke drifting over Los Angeles. Residents gathered at vantage points across the city to witness the scene, expressing a mix of fear and fascination.
Gary Baseman, a local artist, joined others at a parking structure in The Grove, an upscale outdoor mall, to watch the fire. “I just needed to see for myself what’s going on,” he said, describing the fire’s eerie glow against the night sky.
Michael Carsh, who lives about a mile from the fire, viewed the smoke through binoculars and expressed growing anxiety. “I felt pretty safe, and now looking at this, it’s pretty scary,” he said. Carsh added that friends living closer to the fire were preparing to evacuate and might stay with him if conditions worsened.
Dan Frieber, a resident who lives 20 blocks from the fire, watched from the same vantage point. “This fire is like the darling of them all,” he said, acknowledging its prominence given its location in the heart of Los Angeles.
The steep terrain and dense population of the Hollywood Hills posed significant challenges for firefighters. The fire’s rapid spread, driven by dry conditions and wind, forced crews to focus on protecting homes and landmarks. Cal Fire and LAFD teams worked through the night, deploying aerial support and ground crews to contain the blaze.
The Sunset Fire is one of several wildfires currently ravaging Southern California. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena and the Hurst Fire in Sylmar have collectively burned thousands of acres, adding to the strain on firefighting resources.
Authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to stay alert and follow evacuation orders. As the fire continues to spread, the full scope of its impact remains uncertain. However, with no containment yet reported, residents and emergency responders alike face a challenging night ahead.
This latest wildfire underscores the growing risks posed by dry conditions and wind-driven fires in Los Angeles, threatening lives, homes, and cultural landmarks in one of the city’s most iconic areas.
