As wildfires continued to ravage communities across Southern California Wednesday, driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, Angelenos, Californians and L.A. fans across the globe are scrambling for information about the status of beloved landmarks.
Three fires across the region are destroying thousands of acres of woods, brush and buildings and Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency.
The Palisades Fire, between Malibu and Santa Monica, threatened more than 10,000 homes, according to L.A. Fire Chief Kristen Crowley. About 30 miles inland, the Eaton Fire prompted authorities to warn of “an immediate threat to life” in Altadena, near Pasadena. And the Hurst Fire, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown L.A., has forced evacuations of nearby residents.
Several landmarks have sustained damage or are in imminent danger. Many beloved L.A. locales have been spared. Here’s what we know so far.
Griffith Park Observatory, L.A. Zoo and the Hollywood sign
Several of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks, including Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign that welcomes visitors to the area, were not in imminent danger, but some closures were in effect.
The observatory – an Art Deco masterpiece built during the Great Depression and made famous in the 1955 James Dean film “Rebel Without a Cause” – was closed Wednesday, according to its website. Access to the Hollywood sign was also closed, according to its Facebook page. “Stay safe and indoors,” the post urged visitors and residents. An earlier post thanked firefighters for “doing an AMAZING job helping citizens of Pacific Palisades and WeHo with the horrific fires.” WeHo, for those who aren’t immersed in L.A. lingo, means West Hollywood.
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The Los Angeles Zoo, also in sprawling, mountainous Griffith Park, was closed to the public on Wednesday, its website said, citing high winds. The zoo said it hoped to reopen to the public on Thursday, though it would “continue to assess the situation” before making that decision.
Other areas of Griffith Park, including the Bronson Caves, Parkline shuttle and the merry-go-round, were closed, the park’s main website noted.
Universal Studios
Though not in immediate danger from the fires, Universal Studios Hollywood and the adjoining Universal CityWalk near the 101 freeway were closed on Wednesday due to high winds and fire conditions. Park operators said on their website also they would “continue to assess the situation,” though they expected the attractions to be open on Thursday.
Palisades Charter High School and Palisades Charter Elementary School
Palisades Charter High School, which was featured in popular movies including “Teen Wolf,” “Carrie” and 2003’s “Freaky Friday,” was damaged by fire, according to several local news outlets. The football field and several campus structures were affected. The school posted a closure notice on its website, adding, “Students and families are advised to avoid the area and adhere to all evacuation orders. Please stay safe!”
Palisades Charter Elementary School was also engulfed in flames, according to the Los Angeles Times, which cited Fox 11 footage, and the Santa Monica Mirror.
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center
In a letter on its website, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center told congregants that its buildings were lost to the fire. “We are devastated to report that PJTC’s buildings caught fire last night,” the post said, citing local news reports about the fire.
“We are unable to access the neighborhood to confirm, so we can only watch the news along with you, and hold each other tightly,” the post continued. The temple’s Torah scrolls were safe, the post noted, and being kept at the home of a congregant. The synagogue offered a web page where people could share news, safety updates, messages of support and resources.
“We have already received reports that many in our community have lost their homes,” the post said. “We are grateful to congregants who opened their homes to other congregants.”
Theatre Palisades
Theatre Palisades, a community theater founded in 1963 by a trio of television writers, sustained “serious damage,” according to its website, and was forced to suspend all operations until further notice.
“Too sad,” read a post on the organization’s Facebook page. “Our beloved Pierson Playhouse is gone but the heart of Theatre Palisades beats on. We will rise again.”
Will Rogers State Park and Topanga State Park
Two popular state parks were also severely impacted by the wildfires.
At Will Rogers State Historic Park, where the famous movie cowboy once had a sprawling ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, the ranch house and other historic building were destroyed, according to a news release from California State Parks.
At Topanga State Park, where miles of trails wind through the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Topanga Ranch Motel and all the concessions buildings were destroyed. State park employees’ residences were also lost to the fire, the release noted, with more than 30 total structures engulfed at the two state parks.
“State Parks was able to evacuate the horses and some of the cultural and historical artifacts, including artwork, at Will Rogers SHP ahead of the fire,” the release noted. Both parks had been closed to the public since 7 a.m. Tuesday.
According to maps on the Cal Fire website, the Palisades fire was edging into the Santa Ynez Canyon and Topanga Beach areas along the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH.
Getty Villa and Getty Center
The Getty Villa, on PCH, home to Greek and Roman art and antiquities in a recreated Roman country home, said on its website it would remain closed through at least Monday. The Villa museum is sandwiched in the foothills between Will Rogers State Park and Topanga State Park in Pacific Palisades, just north of Santa Monica.
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The Getty Center, perched on a hill above the much-traveled 405 freeway, is a 30-minute drive away (in normal conditions) and out of the immediate fire zone, was also closed through Monday.
Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens, a popular botanical garden and museum 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, was closed, according to its website and Facebook page.
It is in an evacuation zone for the Eaton fire.
Altadena Golf Course
Altadena Golf Course sustained serious damage, according to a video posted on its Facebook page.
The Pasadena site dates to 1910 and has two nine-hole courses.
“We are sorry to say that the Altadena Golf Course Clubhouse did not survive the fire,” the post said. “We will come back stronger.”
Malibu Feed Bin
Malibu Feed Bin, a landmark pet food store with a retro 70s vibe along the Pacific Coast Highway, was completely destroyed, according to a post on its Facebook page.
“We lost the Feedbin today,” the post read, calling the loss “unreal.”
“We are so thankful for the love and support you all have shown us after 60 years in business,” the post continued, extending condolences to customers and anyone who’d lost their homes or were otherwise impacted by the fires.
Clara Sturak, who grew up in Los Angeles, encapsulated what the place meant to customers in a response to the post.
“For all of my 59 years, I’ve known and loved the Feed Bin. It was such an important part of my life as a Topanga Kid — and as a Topanga adult, too.
“But, mostly, I remember how much fun it was to play in the aisles while my mother picked up alfalfa and salt licks, visit the animals behind the shop, buying mealy worms for my enoli lizard, and even — way back in the day — seeing ‘real life reindeer from the North Pole,’ all dolled up in holiday garb, every Christmastime.”
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Contributing: Gabrielle Banks
