LA Fires Spread To Hollywood Hills As Firefighters Struggle To Contain Infernos

The Hollywood Hills became the scene of the latest Los Angeles area wildfire Wednesday night as firefighters struggled to contain out-of-control infernos that have claimed at least five lives and destroyed an estimated 1,100 homes, businesses, and other buildings.

The Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills has grown to over 60 acres near the iconic Runyon Canyon after it was reported shortly before 6 pm local time (0200GMT), making it the latest site of increasingly out-of-control infernos wreaking havoc across the Los Angeles area. Evacuation orders have been issued in the area as the fast-moving fire moves southwest towards Hollywood Boulevard, site of the historic Walk of Fame.

Helicopters “are actively engaged,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said on X as first responders seek to put an end to the blaze.

Meanwhile, the fire in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood remains the largest blaze after it first erupted on Tuesday, burning 15,832 acres near the coast. The Eaton Fire is ravaging communities further inland as it scorches over 10,600 acres northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. The Hurst Fire northeast of downtown has burned an estimated 850 acres.

All of the infernos are raging out of control, powered by fierce seasonal winds known as the Santa Anas, dry vegetation, and low humidity.

Fire officials have warned that they are overwhelmed with the sheer scope of the devastating fires.

“We’re doing the very best we can. But no, we don’t have enough fire personnel in LA County between all of the departments to handle this,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told a Wednesday press conference.

Authorities had earlier confirmed two deaths, but Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna updated the toll to five during an evening news conference.

“We’re praying that that number doesn’t increase, but there’s a lot of work to do, and we’ll see what happens,” he said. “Sometimes we talk about the looting and people who aren’t listening (to authorities). I’m going to tell you, 99% of the people are listening, and I think that’s why, hopefully, the injuries and fatalities, and all those ugly things will stay down. So thank you to our LA County residents for working with us in partnership.”

So far, three people have been arrested for looting, he said.

All of the fatalities have been attributed to the Eaton Fire, which broke out Tuesday night amid strong winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), according to multiple reports.