Los Angeles wildfires highlights: 5 dead, thousands evacuate as wildfires rage in Hollywood Hills

Latest updates on Los Angeles California wildfires: US President Joe Biden declared a Major Disaster declaration for California and will monitor the response to the wildfires raging in Los Angeles

Los Angeles wildfires LIVE updates: Raging wildfires have cast an eerie glow over Los Angeles, disrupting the streets near Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds. Helicopters buzzed low overhead, dousing flames with water. Tourists and residents evacuated hotels on foot, towing suitcases through gridlocked streets. Erratic gusts of up to 129 kmph are still complicating containment efforts, with embers carried miles ahead of the fires, igniting new hotspots. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the situation as ‘unpredictable.’   Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke. Tens of thousands of people have been notified by authorities to evacuate their homes because of the multiple fires burning in the Los Angeles region. Officials say at least five people have died in the wildfires. Thousands of firefighters were battling at least three separate blazes on Wednesday, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena. One of the fires was the most destructive in the modern history of the city of LA.

 

Jamie Lee Curtis said Wednesday on Instagram that her family is safe, but she suggested her neighborhood and possibly her home is on fire. She said many of her friends lost their homes. "It's a terrifying situation and I'm grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze," Curtis said. Other stars who have homes in the area include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

 

Many are awaiting word on whether their homes survived the flames.

 

3:47 PM

Bad air quality is impacting millions

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the fires have filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a vast stretch of Southern California. The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173.

2:56 PM

What to know about wildfires raining embers onto Los Angeles area

The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in LA history.

 

An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

 

The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures.

2:39 PM

Mandy Moore's house destroyed by LA wildfires

According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Mandy Moore has faced a devastating loss amid the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. the 'This Is Us' star shared that she is "devastated and gutted" after the Eaton Fire--located about 30 miles east of the Pacific Palisades Fire--rapidly spread in her neighbourhood.

 

2:36 PM

Production on 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Hacks' halted due to LA fires

According to The Hollywood Reporter, more than a dozen TV shows have paused filming, and permits for some locations have been withdrawn. Among the shows stopping production are Max's Hacks, NBC's Happy's Place and Suits LA, Apple TV+'s Loot and Peacock's Ted, all from Universal Studio Group; CBS' After Midnight, NCIS, NCIS: Origins, The Neighborhood, Poppa's House (all produced by CBS Studios) and The Price Is Right (Fremantle); and ABC's Doctor Odyssey, Grey's Anatomy and Jimmy Kimmel Live, all from 20th Television, and The Rookie, produced by Lionsgate TV and 20th. The Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank closed Wednesday, meaning no filming several shows based there, including ABC's Abbott Elementary, The CW's All American and Max's The Pitt. 

1:03 PM

Looters, scammers 'will not go unpunished,' says Los Angeles district attorney

“While the community rallies to support one another, we are also aware of the individuals who are targeting vulnerable victims to preying on this misfortune, seeking to exploit the vulnerability of those who have already endured so much,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

12:22 PM

California mobilizes 7,500 personnel as wildfire crisis rages on

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive disorder to support those affected by the fires. Newsom has mobilized over 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel. A state of emergency  was declared by Newsom. 

12:07 PM

LA wildfires ravage Hollywood Hills

As  fierce wildfires engulf Los Angeles, over 130,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. President Joe Biden cancelled his final foreign trip to Italy to oversee the response to the wildfires. More than 1,000 homes and buildings have been reduced to ashes, with entire neighbourhoods destroyed. Read here for more details.

11:51 AM

Los Angeles wildfires live updates: Biden cancels trip to Italy meant as final foreign visit of presidency

President Joe Biden on Wednesday cancelled the final overseas trip of his presidency just hours before he was set to depart for Rome and the Vatican, choosing to remain in Washington to monitor the response to devastating fires raging in California.