Multiple wildfires are currently raging across Los Angeles County, forcing widespread evacuations and consuming tens of thousands of acres. A new blaze, the Sunset Fire, ignited Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon, adding to the strain on firefighters already combating the Palisades, Hurst, Lidia, and deadly Eaton fires. The combined impact of these fires has scorched an area comparable to the size of San Francisco.
The Sunset Fire's proximity to popular tourist destinations like the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame has created a surreal scene, with onlookers documenting the flames against the backdrop of everyday city life. While some evacuated hotels, others approached the fire, capturing the spectacle on their phones as helicopters worked to contain the blaze.
Helicopters drop water on the Sunset Fire. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The Eaton Fire has tragically claimed five lives, while nearly 2,000 structures have been destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires combined. Over 130,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders.
Fire officials have noted the challenging conditions, including intense winds that have exacerbated the fires' rapid spread. Capt. Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department attributed some success in containing the Hollywood Hills fire to aggressive initial attack and slightly calmer weather conditions compared to the previous day. However, wind gusts remain a significant concern, with forecasts predicting speeds up to 55 mph, further fueling the Red Flag Warning issued for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
The Palisades Fire reaches the coast. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
The two largest fires, Palisades and Eaton, remain uncontained, while the Hurst Fire has reached 10% containment and the Lidia Fire is 40% contained. Over 7,500 firefighters are battling the blazes, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
A home is engulfed in flames in Pacific Palisades. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
