LOS ANGELES (AP) — A rapidly spreading fire ignited in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, endangering one of Los Angeles' most iconic landmarks. Firefighters were also working to control three other major blazes that have claimed five lives, forced 130,000 people to evacuate, and devastated areas from the Pacific Coast to inland Pasadena.
The Sunset Fire was burning near the Hollywood Bowl, approximately a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Sunset Fire was raging near the Hollywood Bowl, roughly a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The streets surrounding Grauman's Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds were congested with slow-moving traffic as sirens echoed and helicopters flew low, heading to the scene to drop water on the blaze. Tourists carrying suitcases evacuated hotels on foot, while some bystanders approached the fire, capturing footage of the flames on their phones.
Winds subsided somewhat on Wednesday, following a day of hurricane-force gusts that carried embers through the air, sparking fires across multiple blocks. Despite the arrival of hundreds of out-of-state firefighters, the four uncontrolled fires underscored that the threat is far from over.
Several local schools, including Palisades Charter High School—famously featured in Hollywood films such as the 1976 horror classic Carrie and the TV series Teen Wolf—were either damaged or destroyed. As a result, UCLA has canceled all classes for the remainder of the week.
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