Hollywood productions and events halted due to raging LA wildfires

11:59 am on 9 January 2025

By Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN

The Palisades fire burns as seen from Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Los Angeles on January 8, 2025. - A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations January 7, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains. Across town, on the northern edge of Los Angeles, another fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, near Pasadena, quickly consuming 200 acres (81 hectares) later in the night, according to Angeles National Forest officials. (Photo by Agustin PAULLIER / AFP)

The Palisades fire burns as seen from Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Los Angeles on January 8, 2025. Photo: AFP / Agustin Paullier

The devastating wildfires that continue to ravage the celebrity-filled enclave of Pacific Palisades and other areas have forced a production shutdown across Los Angeles, as well as the cancellation of a number of key award season events that were set to take place this week.

The Critics Choice Awards, originally set to be held on Sunday in Santa Monica, have been postponed to 26 January, CNN has learned.

"This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected," said Critics Choice Awards chief executive Joey Berlin in a statement.

The Critics Choice Awards was set to be the second major televised Hollywood award show for the 2025 season, following last weekend's Golden Globes.

The award show was set to be held at The Barker Hanger, a venue in Santa Monica, not far from the Pacific Palisades where fire has destroyed at least 1000 structures and burned more than 5000 acres.

Evacuation orders have also reached residents in Santa Monica where the award show was set to be held.

Amid the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, a number of glitzy Hollywood events and red carpet premieres have also been cancelled.

ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Los Angeles County firefighters spray water on a burning home as the Eaton Fire moved through the area on January 08, 2025 in Altadena, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second fire has emerged near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Los Angeles County firefighters spray water on a burning home as the Eaton Fire moved through the area on January 08, 2025 in Altadena, California. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / Justin Sullivan

The in-person nominations for the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were cancelled on Wednesday morning, instead being announced via press release.

The annual AFI Awards luncheon, which was set to be held on 10 January, will be rescheduled. And the annual BAFTA Tea Party, a key stop in the Oscars race set for 11 January at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, has been cancelled, the organisation announced.

Many Hollywood productions have been forced to stop filming, amid the high winds, smoke and dangerous fires.

More than a dozen shows that shoot in LA have halted production, according to The Hollywood Reporter, including Grey's Anatomy, Hacks, Suits LA, NCIS and The Price Is Right.

Late night shows, like ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! and CBS' After Midnight, will also cease production on Wednesday, according to Variety, which reports that the situation will be monitored for Thursday's shows.

-CNN