Iconic Hollywood Sign At Risk As Wildfires Ravage Sunset Boulevard

A massive wildfire in the Hollywood Hills remained uncontrolled on Thursday morning, threatening the iconic Hollywood sign, as other significant fires around Los Angeles forced 130,000 residents to evacuate and claimed the lives of five people.

The Sunset Fire, burning near the Hollywood Bowl and just a mile away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was one of the most concerning. Strong, dry winds, which reached hurricane-force speeds, exacerbated the fire's spread and hindered firefighting efforts. Since the fires started on Tuesday, they have burned thousands of acres.

The Sunset Fire scorched 50 acres by Wednesday, prompting the LA Fire Department to issue evacuation orders for a vast area, including iconic locations like Hollywood Boulevard and Mulholland Drive to the north.

At least six wildfires were reported across Los Angeles County, with the Hollywood Hills area, near the famous Hollywood sign, being a primary concern. The Dolby Theater, home of the Oscars, was within the evacuation zone. The announcement of next week's Oscar nominations was delayed by two days due to the fire.

Over seven schools in the region, including Palisades Charter High School, which appeared in movies like Carrie and the TV series Teen Wolf, were either damaged or destroyed by the flames.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that aerial firefighting operations were underway to combat the flames, although she cautioned that erratic winds continued to pose a major challenge. These winds were responsible for grounding aircraft on Tuesday evening, contributing to much of the destruction.

On the Pacific Coast, west of Los Angeles, a major fire razed entire blocks in Pacific Palisades, destroying grocery stores and banks. This area, popular with celebrities, saw widespread damage. Many Hollywood studios suspended production, and Universal Studios closed its theme park between Pasadena and Pacific Palisades.

The Eaton Fire in Altadena has now claimed five lives, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Office. The Palisades fire, considered the most destructive in Los Angeles history, has burned at least 1,000 structures.

The damage is staggering, with entire blocks of California Mission-style homes and bungalows reduced to charred rubble. Pools were filled with soot, and melted sports cars lay among the wreckage, underscoring the apocalyptic scene that stretched for miles.