New fire breaks out in Hollywood Hills and threatens famous landmarks
Fire crews drop water over the Hollywood Hills Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Raging wildfires surrounding Los Angeles spread to the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, after five other fires in the area killed at least five people, destroyed hundreds of homes and stretched firefighting resources and water supplies to the limit.
More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires, which have burned parched terrain almost unimpeded since they began on Tuesday.
A new fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, forcing more evacuations and raising to six the number of wildfires burning in Los Angeles County.
All but one of them were 0 per cent contained according to state officials, including a pair of major fires on the eastern and western flanks of the city that continued to grow as night fell on Wednesday.
Raging wildfires surrounding Los Angeles spread to the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, after five other fires in the area killed at least five people, destroyed hundreds of homes and stretched firefighting resources and water supplies to the limit.
More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires, which have burned parched terrain almost unimpeded since they began on Tuesday.
A new fire broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, forcing more evacuations and raising to six the number of wildfires burning in Los Angeles County.
All but one of them were 0 per cent contained according to state officials, including a pair of major fires on the eastern and western flanks of the city that continued to grow as night fell on Wednesday.
The LA Fire Department issued an evacuation order for people in an area within Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west – all iconic addresses for people in the entertainment industry.
Within that area is the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are held. Next week’s Oscar nominations announcement was already postponed by two days because of the fire, organizers said.Though relatively small compared to the others, the Sunset Fire burned just above Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame. It would need to cross the 101 Freeway to endanger the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory further up in the hills.
Donald Trump on Wednesday accused California’s governor of allowing deadly wildfires to rage across Los Angeles so he could “protect an essentially worthless fish”.
The president-elect claimed Mr Newsom was responsible for the “apocalyptic” blaze, which has claimed the lives of at least five people, after diverting millions of gallons of water from the region over animal welfare concern
