Several wildfires have swept through parts of the Los Angeles area, leading to evacuations and the destruction of thousands of homes.

Most major airports in the city have not been affected, although Hollywood Burbank Airport has reported some flight disruptions due to the fire. Key tourist spots, including Universal Studios and the Getty Museum, are currently closed because of the incident.

Matt Ginella, a traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport amidst the ongoing fires, shared his experience.

He departed from San José Mineta International Airport on a Delta flight Tuesday afternoon for work in L.A. During takeoff, the pilot informed passengers that food and beverage service would be halted due to expected turbulence from the winds, Ginella told YSL News.

As the flight neared L.A., Ginella reported visibility of smoke from his window. While the ride was a bit rough, the landing “wasn’t bad.”

“It felt strange flying through the smoke,” he noted. “One moment it was clear skies, then a brown cloud appeared. I could faintly smell smoke inside the cabin.”

Travelers on the West Coast are advised to monitor airline alerts and stay updated on places they plan to visit in the Los Angeles area.

Are Airports Impacted by the Palisades Fire?

Los Angeles International Airport has indicated that it does not anticipate any operational disruptions due to the fire. However, Hollywood Burbank International Airport acknowledged that weather conditions are affecting flight operations.

As reported by FlightAware, about 20% of flights from Burbank were canceled as of 4:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Travelers flying to or from the L.A. area have faced some cancellations and delays due to the wind and fire. On Tuesday, Peter Krajewski flew from L.A. to Las Vegas for a work commitment at the Consumer Electronics Show. He planned to return to Los Angeles International Airport later that evening. Unfortunately, his Southwest Airlines flight from Harry Reid International Airport was delayed and then canceled due to the high winds, he relayed to YSL News.

“It was chaotic because Las Vegas was also hosting one of the biggest conventions, the Consumer Electronics Show,” Krajewski added, noting that hotels were fully booked, and the few remaining options were steeply priced. As a result, numerous attendees ended up spending the night at the airport.

Krajewski was rebooked on one of the first flights to LAX on Wednesday morning, which experienced a brief delay due to air traffic control issues.

Airline Waivers

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• JetBlue

Impact on Theme Parks and Attractions

The flames have encroached upon the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. “While some vegetation on the grounds has been lost, the structures of the Getty remain intact and, thankfully, both staff and collections are unharmed,” the Getty organization stated on X. The villa is home to Greek and Roman art and will stay closed until early next week. Moreover, the Getty Center and Getty Museum in Los Angeles will be closed until at least January 12 as a precaution and to minimize traffic in the area.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is also closed on Wednesday due to the high winds.

Pacific Park, the renowned amusement park located on the Santa Monica Pier, is closed Wednesday. The park announced it was following city and county advisories urging residents and visitors to avoid the streets, highlighting that guest and employee safety is their main concern.

Universal Studios Hollywood, situated north of Hollywood, is likewise closed on Wednesday because of “extreme winds and fire conditions,” the park announced on X. Its adjacent shopping and dining area, Universal CityWalk, will also stay shut. Universal Studios hopes to reopen tomorrow but will continue evaluating the situation with safety as a priority.

Disneyland Resort is currently open but may implement changes due to weather-related concerns. Guests are encouraged to use Disneyland’s free app for the latest updates on offerings.

Knott’s Berry Farm is continuing operations as usual on Wednesday. Both Disneyland and Knott’s are situated in Orange County, approximately 45 miles from Pacific Palisades.

(This story has been updated with the latest information.)