Wildfire erupts in Hollywood Hills: Evacuation orders, firefighter response and more

Wednesday night saw the start of another fire in Los Angeles, putting the famous Hollywood Bowl in jeopardy.

Flames broke out in Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills around 5:30 p.m., earning the name Sunset Fire. The fire was expanding near Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame. The Magic Castle, a private magicians' club, is nearby, as are the Comedy Store, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the El Capitan Theatre, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ovation Hollywood, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and the Bowl.

'The Hollywood Bowl.'

Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

"Due to the Sunset Fire, we have received evacuation orders and all Hollywood Bowl staff have safely evacuated the premises," the Hollywood Bowl wrote on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday evening. "We extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters who are working tirelessly to protect our community."

Just before midnight, the Los Angeles Fire Department shared in an update that the "majority of the Evacuation Zone for the Sunset Fire is LIFTED with the EXCEPTION of the area North of Franklin Ave from Camino Palmero St (East border) to N Sierra Bonita Ave. (West border)."

"This area remains CLOSED until tomorrow morning due to continued LAFD operations ensuring no flare ups in the vegetation surrounding these streets," officials continued in their update. "Residents are asked to be cautious when returning to their homes because firefighters are continuing to work in their neighborhoods."

An evacuation order was issued Wednesday night at 6 p.m. for the area between Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the west and the 101 Freeway on the east, as well as Mulholland Drive on the north and Hollywood Boulevard on the south. As of 9 p.m., approximately 60 to 100 acres were reported to be burning.

Several tourist attractions announced their closures on social media as a result of the fires, including the Magic Castle, which appeared to be under threat from flames at one point, according to reports. Randy Pitchford wrote on X that the iconic location was "safe thanks to the heroic efforts by some Magic Castle heroes and the LAFD."

The Pantages Theatre is further down Hollywood Boulevard, and the Capitol Records building is located on Vine Street in Hollywood.

Runyon Canyon is a renowned hiking destination where Hollywood celebrities are frequently spotted. On a clear day, it provides expansive vistas of Catalina Island and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Later Wednesday night, at 8:52 p.m., the Sunswept Fire broke out inside a Studio City residence and spread to surrounding houses and brush. The Los Angeles Fire Department announced just after 10 p.m. that the fire had been mostly extinguished.

The fires started in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning, prompting the evacuation of almost 30,000 people and destroying 15,800 acres so far. Firefighters are also combating six flames in different parts of Los Angeles County, including the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Woodley.

Five individuals have died, and over 1,000 structures have been destroyed. Several celebrities' homes have been destroyed, including Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, Eugene Levy, Anna Faris, Cary Elwes, Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, James Woods, Diane Warren, Cameron Mathison, and Ricki Lake.

The Hollywood Bowl, which was opened in 1929, is one of Los Angeles' most popular outdoor venues. Its famous concentric-arched bandshell has hosted legendary artists such as the Beatles, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. HA