The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have forced many shutdowns across the city, including movie premieres, theme parks, and the Critics Choice Awards. Since Jan. 7, 2025, high winds have fueled a series of massive wildfires in the Los Angeles area that have led to tens of thousands of people being evacuated and many homes being destroyed.
As of this writing, the Palisades Fire is 11,802 acres, while the Eaton Fire is 10,600 acres, and neither shows any signs of containment. With air quality at dangerous levels, a wind advisory in effect, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency for the Palisades, many high-profile events have been canceled.
Deadline reported that the premiere of Wolf Man and Jennifer Lopez’s Unstoppable were canceled early Tuesday, just hours before they were set to start on Jan. 7. Meanwhile, the LA premiere for Paramount’s Better Man for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, was canceled late Tuesday night. Also set to have its premiere on Jan. 8 was the upcoming Max medical series The Pitt, which has also been canceled.
Additionally, both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Citywalk are also closed due to the extreme winds and fire conditions, and are hoping to open back up on Thursday if the weather allows.
Variety reports that The Critics Choice Awards, which were originally set to take place on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Santa Monica, have now been postponed due to the devastating fires in the LA county area. Critics Choice Association COO Joey Berlin told Variety the show was postponed and more details would come out soon. This is one of many major award ceremonies impacted by the recent fires.
The planned live SAG Awards nomination announcement was scrapped, and the nominees were unveiled in a press release instead. The annual starry AFI Awards luncheon on Jan. 10 has since been rescheduled. Meanwhile, the annual British Academy Film Awards, aka BAFTA Tea Party, set for Jan. 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, has been canceled.
The LA Wildfires are Having a Devastating Impact on the City and its Citizens
The wildfires in Los Angeles are impacting more than just the world of film and television. While not all flights have been grounded, many out of LAX and the Burbank Airport have seen major delays due to the cloud of smoke. The Palisades Fire has already destroyed a thousand structures and shows no signs of slowing down as the intense winds have worsened the situation. More than the events or the buildings, people’s lives are at risk, and the situation isn’t slowing down.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said in a public statement on the morning of Jan. 8 via CNN, said:
“There are not enough firefighters in LA County to address four separate fires of this magnitude. The LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four, especially given these sustained winds and low humidities. This is not a normal red flag alert. People were calling for help. We tried to get them the help that they needed. LA County right now, like the LA City Fire Department is prioritizing life safety, but we are also engaging in structure defense, perimeter control and aerial operations. We’re doing the very best we can. But no, we don’t have enough fire personnel in LA County, between all of the fires, to handle this.”
Barely a week into the new year, a major disaster has already happened that is impacting not just the film industry, but also the people who make the industry work. For all the discussion about if the films of 2025 like Superman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the now unfortunately-titled Avatar: Fire and Ash will rebound the box office, it doesn’t mean much at the moment, as people are fleeing their homes for safety.
It feels weird to think that just three nights ago, LA was celebrating the Golden Globes, and in just a little over 24 hours later, how much would change?
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