Los Angeles: The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have resulted in at least 16 fatalities and have damaged or destroyed over 12,000 structures since they began last week. Officials have cautioned that conditions are likely to worsen in the coming days, causing significant disruptions across the area, including school closures and the cancellation of various entertainment, sports, and community events.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest public school district in the U.S., closed schools on Thursday and Friday due to hazardous air quality. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stated that traveling to school posed greater risks than remaining at home, especially for children with respiratory issues. Some schools near evacuation zones also faced power outages and low attendance prior to the closures.
Kenneth, a resident of Pacific Palisades who spoke to Xinhua, expressed the chaos of evacuation, saying, “Our lives are a mess, and the whole city is at a standstill, but at least we’re still alive.”
Currently, six wildfires are active across Los Angeles County, burning nearly 36,000 acres. The Palisades fire is one of the largest, having scorched over 21,300 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 5,300 structures. In eastern Los Angeles, fires in Eaton Canyon and Highland Park have impacted schools and homes, with two elementary schools and parts of Palisades Charter High School sustaining damage. The Eaton Fire has consumed nearly 14,000 acres, affecting up to 5,000 structures.
The entertainment industry has also been significantly affected by the fires, power outages, and poor air quality. Numerous film and TV productions have been halted, with several premieres and events canceled due to the uncertainty surrounding the fires and the associated health risks. Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios canceled their premieres for Unstoppable and Wolf Man, while Paramount and Max called off events for Better Man and The Pitt. Apple TV+ postponed the premiere of Severance Season 2, and Sony/Tri-Star delayed the premiere of One of Them Days. Additionally, NBCUniversal canceled a press event for several shows, and Netflix withdrew a planned music event.
In the music scene, the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO festival, featuring bands like Fontaines D.C. and St. Vincent, was also canceled, with organizers expressing gratitude to first responders and concern for the affected community. Major award-season events, including the Oscar Nominations Announcement and the BAFTA Tea Party, have been postponed.
The wildfires have impacted the sports world as well, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to postpone their home game against the Charlotte Hornets, while the Rams’ playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings was moved to Glendale, Arizona. The NFL is closely monitoring air quality for its impact on training schedules for the Rams and Chargers, and several college sports events, including a basketball game at Pepperdine University, have also been postponed due to restricted access to campuses affected by the fires.
As of Friday, the wildfires have destroyed over 12,300 structures and claimed at least 16 lives, with officials warning that the true death toll may remain unclear until it is safe for investigators to enter the neighborhoods. More than 100,000 people are currently under evacuation orders, with tens of thousands more facing warnings.