On Wednesday evening, Los Angeles was once again struck by the inferno's fury, this time with the iconic Hollywood Bowl standing perilously in its path. Dubbed the Sunset Fire, the blaze erupted in Runyon Canyon, nestled within the Hollywood Hills, at approximately 5:30 p.m. The flames swiftly spread, inching closer to the glitz and glam of Hollywood Boulevard and the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame. The vicinity also embraced other renowned Los Angeles attractions and tourist hotspots, such as the Magic Castle—a private club for magicians, The Comedy Store, TCL Chinese Theatre, El Capitan Theatre, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ovation Hollywood, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and of course, the Bowl itself.
In a poignant message posted on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday night, the Hollywood Bowl conveyed, "Due to the Sunset Fire, we have received evacuation orders, and all Hollywood Bowl staff have been safely evacuated from the premises. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to the tireless firefighters who are valiantly protecting our community."
Just shy of midnight, the Los Angeles Fire Department provided an update, announcing that "the majority of the Evacuation Zone for the Sunset Fire has been lifted, with the exception of the area north of Franklin Ave, bounded by Camino Palmero St on the east and N Sierra Bonita Ave on the west." The officials further stated, "This area remains closed until tomorrow morning as LAFD operations continue to ensure no flare-ups occur in the vegetation surrounding these streets. Residents, upon returning, are advised to exercise caution due to ongoing firefighting efforts in their neighborhoods."
Earlier, around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, an evacuation order was issued for the area stretching from Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the west to the 101 Freeway on the east and from Mulholland Drive on the north to Hollywood Boulevard on the south. By 9 p.m., reports indicated that between 60 and 100 acres were engulfed in flames.
Several tourist destinations, including the Magic Castle, which at one point seemed threatened by the blaze, announced their closure on social media. However, Randy Pitchford posted on X that the beloved landmark was "safe, thanks to the heroic endeavors of some Magic Castle heroes and the LAFD."
Further down Hollywood Boulevard stands the Pantages Theatre, while the Capitol Records building looms on Vine Street, both embodying the essence of Hollywood. Runyon Canyon, a popular hiking spot where spotting Hollywood stars is not uncommon, offers breathtaking views ranging from Catalina Island to the Santa Monica Mountains on clear days.
Then, at 8:52 p.m. on Wednesday, another fire—dubbed the Sunswept Fire—broke out in a Studio City home before spreading to adjacent houses and brush. The Los Angeles Fire Department swiftly contained most of the blaze shortly after 10 p.m.
The fires began their menacing rampage in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday morning, prompting the evacuation of over 30,000 residents and scorching 15,800 acres to date. Firefighters are also currently engaged in battles against six other blazes—the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Woodley fires—across various parts of Los Angeles County.
The devastation has left five people dead and more than 1,000 structures reduced to ruins. Among the celebrities whose homes have been lost are 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.
Opened in 1929, the Hollywood Bowl stands as one of L.A.'s premier outdoor venues. Its iconic concentric-arched bandshell has welcomed legendary artists like the Beatles, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more, each leaving an indelible mark on its storied stage.
