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 in an update 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).”
“This area remains CLOSED until tomorrow morning due to continued LAFD operations ensuring no flare ups in the vegetation surrounding these streets,” officials continued in their update. “Residents are asked to be cautious when returning to their homes because firefighters are continuing to work in their neighborhoods.”
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.
Runyon Canyon is a popular hiking destination, where it’s not uncommon to see Hollywood stars. On a clear day, it offers sweeping views from Catalina Island to the Santa Monica Mountains.
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 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, also including the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Woodley fires, in various areas of Los Angeles County.
Five people are dead and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. The homes of numerous stars have been destroyed, including 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 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.
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