A brushfire has erupted in the Hollywood Hills, threatening homes and landmarks near the iconic Runyon Canyon hiking trails. Dubbed the Sunset Fire, it is poised to become the latest significant wildfire in Los Angeles, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the most severe the region has faced in nearly a decade. These winds have exacerbated the flames, hindered containment efforts, and increased the scale of destruction across the area.

Stunning yet ominous visuals show the fire casting an orange glow over the Hollywood Hills as flames advance downhill. The blaze was first reported in the 2300 block of North Solar Drive, a location nestled between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park, just west of the Hollywood Bowl and the 101 Freeway. While the fire threatens nearby structures, officials have confirmed that the Hollywood sign, a prominent tourist attraction, is not currently at risk.

In response, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has issued an evacuation order for the densely populated neighborhood. By 9 p.m. local time, the Sunset Fire had already scorched 50 acres, having doubled in size within two hours. Margaret Stewart, LAFD’s public information officer, described the situation as “very dynamic,” with emergency crews confronting an “explosive fire” reported earlier on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters are employing aerial fire suppression tactics in an effort to control the flames. However, high winds have caused erratic fire behavior, downed trees, and rapid fire expansion throughout Los Angeles County. Earlier in the week, the severe winds grounded most aerial firefighting resources, complicating efforts to manage the multiple blazes ravaging the area. The city has called on surrounding jurisdictions for additional firefighting support to combat the escalating crisis.

Emergency crews in Los Angeles are conducting door-to-door checks in high-risk areas, urging residents along evacuation routes to leave their homes as wildfires continue to wreak havoc. According to NBC 4 Los Angeles, the relentless fires have caused severe traffic congestion on major roadways, with tens of thousands of residents evacuating under emergency orders.

“We’ve lived here for 16 years, and this is the first time we’ve had to evacuate,” said Benjamin Vega, a local resident forced to flee after receiving an evacuation notice. “We never expected a fire to reach our neighborhood tonight.”

The Sunset Fire, which erupted late Wednesday, is now the sixth major wildfire to ignite in Los Angeles since the crisis began on Tuesday afternoon. The wildfire outbreak started with a massive blaze in Pacific Palisades, which prompted the evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents. This fire has since consumed over 15,000 acres and remains uncontained. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire in the Pasadena-Altadena area has scorched more than 10,000 acres, leaving officials scrambling to slow its advance.

Adding to the devastation, the Hurst Fire broke out in Sylmar on Tuesday night, contributing to the destruction of over 1,100 homes, businesses, and other structures across Los Angeles County. Tragically, five fatalities have been reported, all occurring in the Altadena and Pasadena areas, where the fast-moving Eaton Fire gave residents little time to escape.

As the crisis deepens, California’s National Guard announced the deployment of military police and additional resources to assist with firefighting and public safety efforts. “Hundreds of military police are prepared to support Los Angeles County residents and protect property through any means necessary,” the National Guard stated in an official release on social media. The statement emphasized that all operations will be conducted under the direction of civilian authorities.

To date, 600 National Guard personnel have been dispatched to Los Angeles County. Their support includes two specialized firefighting hand crews working alongside the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE). The Guard has also deployed 10 rotary-wing aircraft and two C-130 planes equipped for aerial firefighting, along with eight Joint Task Force Rattlesnake crews assisting CALFIRE on the ground.

The Sunset Fire, which has already destroyed several structures, underscores the escalating nature of this wildfire emergency. Firefighters face additional challenges due to the powerful Santa Ana winds fueling the flames and grounding some aerial firefighting efforts earlier this week. These winds, the strongest in nearly a decade, have caused erratic fire behavior and complicated evacuation and containment operations.

The situation remains dire, with officials urging residents in high-risk areas to follow evacuation orders promptly and prioritize safety. As the fires continue to spread, the combined efforts of local authorities, state agencies, and the National Guard are focused on saving lives, protecting property, and containing the devastation.