Fire Breaks Out in Hollywood Hills, Threatening Hollywood Bowl, Walk of Fame
Another fire broke out Wednesday night in Los Angeles, this time endangering iconic landmark the Hollywood Bowl.
Named the Sunset Fire, flames broke out in Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills at around 5:30 p.m. The spreading fire is close to Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That’s also in the vicinity of iconic Los Angeles locations and tourist destinations including the Magic Castle, the private magicians’ club; the TCL Chinese Theatre; the El Capitan Theatre; Madame Tussauds Wax Museum; Ovation Hollywood; and the Bowl.
Further down Hollywood Boulevard is the Pantages Theatre, while the Capitol Records building is located on Vine Street in Hollywood.
Runyon Canyon is a popular hiking destination, where it’s not uncommon to see Hollywood stars. On a clear day, it offers sweeping views from Catalina Island to the Santa Monica Mountains.
An evacuation order was put into place Wednesday night around 6 p.m. for the area from Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the west to the 101 Freeway on the east, and Mulholland Drive on the north to Hollywood Boulevard on the south. At least 10 acres were burning as of 6 p.m.
The fires began in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning, forcing the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents and burning 15,800 acres so far. Firefighters are also currently battling other blazes, including the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Woodley fires in various areas of Los Angeles County.
Five people are dead and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. The homes of numerous stars have been destroyed, including Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, Eugene Levy, Anna Faris, Cary Elwes, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, James Woods, Diane Warren, Cameron Mathison and Ricki Lake.
The Hollywood Bowl opened in 1929 and is among L.A.’s top outdoor venues. Its iconic concentric-arched bandshell has hosted such iconic artists as the Beatles, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald and more.
