Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have forced film and television productions to slam the brakes as California reels from a declared state of emergency.
The flames, which erupted Tuesday (January 7), have spread through several neighborhoods, prompting safety concerns and disrupting the city’s entertainment engine.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department requested a halt to filming in vulnerable areas as crews worked tirelessly to contain blazes in the Palisades, Eaton Canyon, and Hurst Ranch regions.
As the smoke thickened, FilmLA, the organization that manages permits, announced the immediate suspension of filming approvals in Altadena, La Crescenta, La Cañada Flintridge and parts of unincorporated Pasadena.
High-profile productions were not spared. Disney pulled the plug on shooting for its iconic medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” and season two of “Doctor Odyssey.”
Late-night stalwart Jimmy Kimmel Live also temporarily dimmed its lights amid the chaos. NBCUniversal joined the exodus, pausing work on comedies like Hacks, Loot, and Ted, Suits: L.A., and Happy’s Place.
However, their movie projects are proceeding as scheduled for now.
CBS halted filming entirely for titles like After Midnight, Poppa’s House, The Neighborhood and several incarnations of the NCIS franchise.
Amazon’s ambitious post-apocalyptic drama Fallout also faced setbacks, with plans to film season two in the Santa Clarita area derailed this week due to the wildfire’s proximity.
The series, which imagines a scorched Earth, now finds art imitating life far too closely.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the disaster, unlocking much-needed resources to combat the infernos.
Fire crews have been staged at explosive hotspots around the city, while aerial tankers and ground teams continue to battle flames propelled by dry winds and unrelenting conditions.
The entertainment industry, often an unstoppable force in Los Angeles, has found itself at the mercy of nature in a dramatic reminder of the region’s vulnerability.
While no injuries on set were reported, the escalating fires have deepened concerns over the growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in California, many of which experts link to climate change.