In other times, saying that Hollywood was on fire would be a positive expression, but it is literal and devastating news in the first week of 2025. The wildfire season – yes, it is so common that it has a “season” – started strong, fast, and still out of control, destroying the homes and lives of famous and unknown people, altering the awards season (obviously!) in an already strange year. Each year, everything gets even weirder.

It is still uncertain how the fires started – there were three simultaneous ones – but apparently, they were natural causes and bad luck. What would have been isolated and punctual, due to the combination of low humidity and dry fuels, gained speed and amplitude with strong winds driving its rapid growth and expansion.

The National Weather Service issued a high-level fire warning for much of Los Angeles on Monday, warning that wind gusts could reach 100 mph in some areas this week, adding to the risk. Wildfires are burning out of control in open, brushy terrain, which is pretty much the entire state, especially Los Angeles.

Thousands of acres between Santa Monica and Malibu have burned and show no signs of being under control, with more spreading across greater Los Angeles. The SAG Awards were announced early and made online, other ceremonies were postponed, and the Oscars, which start voting this week, have already announced they will extend voting by two more days, even though they are still sticking to their early March date. That’s not a good time for any glamorous parties right now. Historically, California’s wildfire season runs from July to early December, but climate change has caused a longer and more severe drought, perfect for flaming and burning vegetation. However, the state generally maintains a frightening history of deadly and destructive forest fires.

The first recorded was in 1889, which remained the largest until 2018. Unfortunately, the 2025 fires, still raging out of control and licking Los Angeles, are already the largest in history.

The Palisades has already burned over 15,800 acres and countless homes and businesses, covering the coast and areas such as Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The Eaton has already burned over 10,000 acres and many structures in Altadena and Pasadena, and the Sunset fire – on Sunset Boulevard – started in the late afternoon and is close to Hollywood.

Thousands are without power and with poor respiratory conditions because of the fire. We will follow the drama, hoping that it is controlled and that lives are saved. The year has already started intensely!

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