Los Angeles is under siege. The recent wildfires raging across the city have forced tens of thousands of evacuations, destroyed countless homes, and wreaked havoc on both the local community and the entertainment industry. At The Feature Presentation, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this devastating disaster. We also want to share resources for donations, shelters, and relief efforts for those seeking to help or in need of assistance.
Since January 7th, 2025, high winds have fueled a series of massive wildfires in the Los Angeles area, including the Palisades Fire (now at approximately 20,000+ acres) and the Eaton Fire (10,600 acres). Neither shows any signs of containment. In fact, more wildfire areas have been announced with the death toll slowly creeping up as the first responders are able to properly investigate once extinguished. With air quality at hazardous levels, a wind advisory in effect, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency, life in LA has been upended.
The wildfires have also disrupted the entertainment world. Multiple high-profile events, including movie premieres, theme park operations, and award ceremonies, have been postponed or canceled entirely. Among them:
- Wolf Man and Jennifer Lopez’s Unstoppable premieres were canceled hours before their scheduled start on January 7th.
- Paramount’s Better Man premiere and MAX’s The Pitt were called off on January 8th.
- Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk remain closed due to extreme fire conditions.
- The Critics Choice Awards, originally set for January 12th, has been postponed until further notice.
Even prestigious industry events like the annual AFI Awards luncheon and BAFTA Tea Party have been rescheduled or scrapped. Additionally, the SAG Awards nomination announcement went virtual, replacing its planned live event with a press release.
Amid this turmoil, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced delays to its Oscar voting period and nominations announcement. Originally set to close on January 14th, voting will now remain open for two additional days, with nominations to be revealed on Sunday, January 19th, 2025. While this marks a departure from tradition, the Oscars ceremony itself is still on track for March 2nd, 2025.
Nonetheless, this crisis extends far beyond the film industry. LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone highlighted the overwhelming strain on fire services, stating:
“There are not enough firefighters in LA County to address four separate fires of this magnitude… We are prioritizing life safety, structure defense, perimeter control, and aerial operations. But no, we don’t have enough fire personnel in LA County to handle this.”
Airports like LAX and Burbank are experiencing significant delays due to the smoke, while thousands of structures have already been destroyed. Tragically, seven lives have been lost, and with the winds worsening conditions, the situation remains dire.
It’s a somber contrast to the glitz of Hollywood. Just three nights ago, the Golden Globes celebrated the best in film and television. Now, the focus has shifted to saving lives and homes. For those looking to support relief efforts, here are trusted organizations accepting donations and providing aid:
- American Red Cross: Donate here
- California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund: Donate here
- Salvation Army: Donate here
- Temporary Housing Assistance: Find shelters here
The entertainment industry, like the city itself, will rebuild. But for now, the focus is on the safety and well-being of the people who make Los Angeles a global cultural hub. Let’s rally together to help those in need during this challenging time.
