LOS ANGELES — A swift brush fire broke out in Los Angeles on Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills, leading to urgent evacuations and putting pressure on firefighting efforts across Southern California.

Shortly after 6 p.m. local time Wednesday, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced evacuation orders for parts of the Hollywood Hills, a celebrity-rich area in central Los Angeles. By 9:45 p.m., the fire, named the Sunset Fire, had already burned over 60 acres and was not contained at all, according to Cal Fire.

Mandatory evacuations were set for the area from Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Mulholland Drive in the north, the 101 Freeway in the east, and Hollywood Boulevard in the south. Additionally, evacuation warnings were issued for regions north of Sunset Boulevard, extending from Beverly Hills to Hollywood.

The Angeles Fire Department is combating the flames with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department, which is helping to manage evacuation traffic, as noted by Mayor Karen Bass.

“We are urgently working to close roads, redirect traffic, and ensure LAFD vehicles can reach the fire,” Mayor Bass stated on X.

The West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has warned locals to steer clear of the area for the safety of emergency responders and advised residents to begin preparations by gathering important documents and their families and pets.

Beverly Hills city officials noted on X that their fire department is closely watching the Sunset Fire, which ignited near residential areas and the popular Runyon Canyon hiking trails. Parts of Beverly Hills, specifically areas north of Sunset Boulevard and east of Coldwater Canyon Drive, have been labeled as voluntary evacuation zones.

“We recognize this is a densely populated area and now is not the time to hesitate,” said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart during an interview with KABC-TV. “We need people to swiftly and calmly evacuate southward.”

‘It feels like we’re being engulfed by flames’

The fire is situated approximately 10 miles southwest of the renowned Hollywood Sign. The section of Sunset Boulevard near the blaze is populated with famous attractions like the TCL Chinese Theatre, which announced through social media that it had closed, and employees were sent home for safety.

The Hollywood Bowl, an iconic music venue that has hosted many artists since its opening in 1922, also announced on Wednesday that it was under an evacuation order due to the Sunset Fire. All staff members were safely evacuated according to the venue’s statement.

Social media posts showed the fire spreading upward, creating a large cloud of smoke moving toward Hollywood.

Gary Baseman, 64, from Los Angeles, was among a small group watching the fire from the top of an eight-story parking structure at The Grove, an upscale open-air mall. “I needed to be here to see what’s happening,” said Baseman, an artist.

Michael Carsh, who lives a mile away, observed the fire through binoculars. “I felt secure earlier, but now it’s quite alarming. It feels like we are being encircled by flames.” Carsh, 49, mentioned friends in the area who are currently staying put. “I have a room saved for them,” he added.

Dan Frieber, 39, noted he resides about 20 blocks from the brush fire and thought the top of the parking structure would offer a safe view.

“This fire has become the most discussed one. It’s the one everyone is worried about now,” Frieber remarked. “No offense to the Palisades, but this is right in the heart of L.A.”

(This story was updated with new details.)