A sixth fire erupted in the Greater Los Angeles area—this time in the Hollywood Hills—late Wednesday evening, as emergency crews were still fighting to contain a devastating spate of wildfires that have resulted in five deaths and forced thousands to flee from their homes.
The Context
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) immediately issued an evacuation order due to the Sunset Fire for a densely populated area bounded by Runyon Canyon on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east and Hollywood Boulevard on the south.
As of 10:05 p.m. ET Wednesday, the fire covered 20 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
What To Know
Margaret Stewart, public information officer at LAFD, told KABC that it was a “very dynamic situation” and an “explosive fire” had “blown up in Runyon Canyon.”
The LAFD posted a map showing the evacuation zone for the Sunset Fire to its website:
A map showing evacuation zones for the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills that erupted Wednesday evening. A map showing evacuation zones for the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills that erupted Wednesday evening. Screenshot via LAFD
In addition to the Sunset Fire, crews are fighting to contain the rapidly spreading Palisades and Eaton fires, as well as the Hurst, Lidia and Woodley blazes.
The fires were exacerbated by a severe windstorm that fanned the flames, spurring hardships for firefighters to contain them.
This story is developing and will be updated with more information.