Another LA Wildfire Breaks Out In Hollywood Hills, Bringing Total To Six
Firefighters are currently addressing a new brushfire in the Hollywood Hills that poses a threat to residences and other structures along the picturesque Runyon Canyon hiking trails. The Sunset Fire is on the verge of becoming the latest significant brushfire to impact the Los Angeles area in recent days. The damage caused by this wildfire outbreak is being exacerbated by powerful Santa Ana winds, the most severe in nearly a decade, which have hindered firefighting operations and intensified the flames.
Visuals from the scene depict the fire illuminating the Hollywood Hills with an orange hue as the flames spread downhill. The fire was initially reported in the 2300 block of North Solar Drive, situated between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park, just west of the Hollywood Bowl and the 101 Freeway. This location is in close proximity to some of the city’s most frequented tourist attractions, including the Hollywood sign, which officials have indicated is currently not at risk.
In response to the situation, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) promptly issued an evacuation order for the densely populated vicinity. As of 9 p.m. local time, the fire had consumed 50 acres, having more than doubled in size within a two-hour timeframe. Margaret Stewart, a public information officer with LAFD, informed local news outlet KABC that emergency personnel were managing a “very dynamic situation” due to the rapidly spreading “explosive fire” that was first reported on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters were observed deploying aerial fire suppression tactics in an attempt to control the Sunset Fire. The high winds, which have also caused downed trees and additional damage, have led to erratic fire behavior and rapid expansion of the blazes affecting Los Angeles County. Wind storms grounded most aerial firefighting resources on Tuesday and parts of Wednesday, further complicating firefighting and rescue operations. The city has requested assistance from available firefighters in surrounding areas.
Emergency crews in Los Angeles have been conducting door-to-door checks on residents situated along evacuation routes and in areas deemed at risk, as reported by NBC 4 Los Angeles. The ongoing crisis has resulted in severe traffic congestion throughout the region’s primary roadways, compelling tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. “We’ve lived here about 16 years, and this is the first time we’ve had to evacuate,” remarked Benjamin Vega, who received an evacuation order. “We definitely were not expecting a fire in my neighborhood tonight.”
The Sunset Fire marks the sixth significant brushfire to ignite in the Los Angeles area since the outbreak commenced on Tuesday afternoon. The initial major fire broke out in the Pacific Palisades region, leading to the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents. Currently, the Palisades fire has consumed over 15,000 acres and remains uncontrolled. In the Pasadena-Altadena vicinity, the Eaton Fire has also burned more than 10,000 acres and shows no signs of abating.
Additionally, another fire, referred to as the Hurst Fire, ignited in the Sylmar area on Tuesday night. To date, more than 1,100 homes, businesses, and other structures have been destroyed, with at least five fatalities reported across Los Angeles County. These deaths occurred in the Altadena and Pasadena regions, where the rapid spread of the Eaton Fire left residents with minimal time to evacuate.
In response to the catastrophic wildfires, the California National Guard announced on Wednesday evening that hundreds of military police are ready to be deployed to Los Angeles County. These additional resources are anticipated to arrive shortly to safeguard residents and property “through any means necessary,” as stated in a release via X. The statement concluded by emphasizing that their operations will be conducted under the guidance of civilian authorities.
Fox News has indicated that the California National Guard has deployed 600 personnel and equipment to support firefighting and law enforcement efforts. This includes two hand crews designated for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), along with 10 rotary-wing aircraft and two C-130 planes dedicated to wildland firefighting. Additionally, eight crews from Joint Task Force Rattlesnake will be sent to the region to aid CALFIRE.