Multiple wildfires raged across Los Angeles, leaving a devastating trail of destruction in their wake, destroying scores of celebrity homes and historic landmarks and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. The fires, which include the Palisades Fire west of Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley and a new outbreak in the Hollywood Hills, have overwhelmed emergency services and led to widespread power outages, which affects more people over 1.5 million customers.

Celebrity homes lost

Among the most significant losses was the Pacific Palisades residence of Billy Crystal and his wife Janice, where they lived for 45 years. “We raised our children and grandchildren here,” the couple said Wednesday. “Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.”

Actress Mandy Moore’s Altadena estate fell victim to the Eaton fire, while Paris Hilton’s Malibu estate, where her young children Phoenix and London had begun making family memories, was also destroyed. “The Princess Bride” star Cary Elwes confirmed the loss of his Pacific Palisades home while expressing gratitude for his family’s safety.

Historic landmarks destroyed

The fires have destroyed several historic properties, including the Will Rogers Ranch House, a 31-room property built in the 1920s on 359 acres of what is now Pacific Palisades. The historic Topanga Ranch Motel, built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, also fell victim to the flames. Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in numerous Hollywood productions such as “Carrie” and “Teen Wolf,” was partially destroyed.

Disruptions in the entertainment industry

The timing of the fires has severely impacted Hollywood’s awards season. After the Golden Globe Awards ceremony on Sunday, there was a cascade of cancellations and postponements in the industry:

• The Critics Choice Awards have been postponed until February 26th
• Oscar nomination voting has been extended and announcements postponed until January 19th
• Several film premieres, including “Wolf Man” and “Better Man,” were canceled
• Production has stopped on numerous television series, including Grey’s Anatomy, Ted Lasso and Suits LA.

Ongoing crisis

Emergency services report that around 70,000 residents still need to be evacuated and almost 30,000 buildings are at risk. The fires caused chaotic scenes in the affected areas. Some evacuees abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot as major arteries became clogged.

Mark Hamill described the harrowing experience on Instagram: “Malibu evacuated at the last minute. Small fires on both sides of the road as we approached the Pacific Coast Highway.” Other celebrities awaiting news on their properties include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

Jamie Lee Curtis, who suspected her neighborhood may have been affected, praised first responders: “It’s a terrible situation and I’m grateful to the firefighters and all the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the fire.”

Cultural impact

The fires have forced the closure of major cultural facilities, including the Getty Villa and the Getty Center. Universal Studios Hollywood has ceased operations, while both Universal and Disney have halted production on numerous projects. The disruption also extends to television, with “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC. Cancelation of the live broadcast on Wednesday in favor of a repeat episode.

While firefighters continue to battle the fires in difficult conditions, the full extent of the damage is still unknown. However, the fires have already left an indelible mark on both the physical and cultural landscape of Los Angeles, impacting everything from historic landmarks to modern entertainment establishments.