By Michael D. Carroll
Breaking News Editor
A fast-moving wildfire has ignited in the hills above Hollywood Boulevard, threatening some of Los Angeles' most iconic tourist destinations.
Two new wildfires erupted overnight in the Hollywood Hills and Studio City, adding to the challenges faced by firefighters already battling two major wildfires that have killed five people so far, forced 130,000 residents to evacuate, and devastated communities from the Pacific Coast to inland Pasadena. Fire crews are racing to contain the fires as they spread across the region, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
The fires have consumed a total of about 42 square miles—nearly the size of the entire city of San Francisco.
What to Know:
- The Sunset Fire started around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday
- President Joe Biden signed a federal emergency declaration
- Nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed
- Power outages have swollen above 450,000 residences as fires multiply
- More than half a dozen schools were either damaged or destroyed, including the iconic Palisades Charter High School
- Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton were among the stars who lost homes. Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years in the Palisades Fire.
04:46 AM EST
Trump Blames Newsom and Biden
The President-elect blasted California Gov. Newsom in a new conference.
Trump also hot out at Newsom in a Truth Social post.
"As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained exactly ZERO percent of the fire," said Trump.
He also blamed President Joe Biden for lack of resources available to fight the fires.
"No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me," Trump said.
04:05 AM EST
School Made Famous by "Carrie" and "Teen Wolf" Is Casualty of Fire
The Palisades Fire has severely impacted the community, damaging or destroying more than half a dozen schools, including the iconic Palisades Charter High School. Known for its appearances in Hollywood productions such as the 1976 horror classic Carrie and the TV series Teen Wolf, the school is among the most notable casualties.
UCLA has canceled classes for the week as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the fire.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass provided an update, confirming that air operations were actively dousing flames but warned that "erratic winds" remain a challenge. She noted that while conditions had improved compared to Tuesday evening—when high winds grounded aircraft and much of the destruction unfolded—the situation is still precarious.
03:57 AM EST
New Conference Called Short Due to New Blaze
The Sunset Fire erupted around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, just as officials were holding a news conference to update the public on efforts to combat the massive Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires. During the briefing, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley abruptly departed after announcing the new blaze. An evacuation order was issued shortly after, underscoring the continuing high fire danger in the region as crews work to contain multiple fast-moving wildfires.
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