Massive wildfires broke out in Los Angeles County this week, overwhelming local fire departments and forcing the closure of iconic landmarks and popular meeting spaces. Additionally, tens of thousands of people have been displaced and entire communities have been devastated.
The 130,000-square-foot Pasadena Convention Center has been converted into an evacuation center for those affected by the fire.
The Getty Center, a $1.3 billion art museum and popular event venue, has successfully extinguished a fire. It helped by clearing brush from the surrounding area as part of year-round fire prevention efforts. The Getty Center will be closed until Sunday and the Getty Villa will be closed until Monday.
The Palisades Fire destroyed Will Rogers’ 186-acre ranch, a popular event venue and former home of the actor, radio personality and humorist. The ranch is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The fire also destroyed the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, once owned by William Randolph Hearst.
Event cancellations and delays
The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) is scheduled to hold its state conference Jan. 22-25 at the Pasadena Convention Center. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation and are closely monitoring the latest developments regarding containment efforts. If cancellation is required, we will promptly notify all attendees. At present, the meeting is proceeding as planned.
Several film-related events, including the 30th annual Critics’ Choice Awards, have been postponed or canceled. Originally scheduled for Sunday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, it has been postponed to January 26.
The American Film Institute has postponed the AFI Awards Luncheon scheduled for Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) tea party scheduled to take place at the Four Seasons on Saturday has been cancelled.
Click here to learn more about how fires are affecting travel.
The Los Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau is monitoring the situation and updating its website. The website currently has a list of hotels in the Los Angeles area that are providing relief accommodations to people displaced by the ongoing wildfires.
Visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s website for information on wildfire conditions.
