January 9, 2025: Los Angeles is grappling with a devastating wildfire crisis as six major blazes sweep through the region, claiming the lives of at least five people and forcing over 137,000 residents to evacuate. The fires have left iconic landmarks and residential neighborhoods in peril, while utility outages affect over 1.5 million customers.

The most recent wildfire, dubbed the Sunset Fire, erupted in the Hollywood Hills and has rapidly grown to 20 acres. The blaze threatens the iconic Hollywood sign, the Dolby Theatre—home to the Academy Awards—and other landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Walk of Fame.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, and Hollywood Boulevard, areas known for celebrity residences. Meanwhile, evacuations are also underway near the Palisades Fire to the west, the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, and the Eaton Fire in Santa Monica and Altadena.

Los Angeles Fire Department officials report that most fires remain completely uncontained. Among them, the Palisades Fire has been declared the most destructive in the city’s history.

The region faces widespread power outages, with over 957,000 customers affected in Los Angeles County alone. Ventura County has also been severely impacted, with more than half of its 334,000 residents without electricity.

Air quality has deteriorated significantly, with smoke and dust advisories issued for 17 million residents across Southern California, expected to last through Thursday.

Amid the chaos, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has announced that Starlink satellite internet services will be provided free of charge to affected areas starting Thursday morning. Musk’s offer aims to assist evacuees and emergency responders by ensuring reliable communication in the midst of widespread utility failures.

Firefighters and emergency services continue to battle the infernos around the clock, as officials urge residents to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation orders.