Written by Kianna Best on Jan 14, 2025. Posted in General Interest

The LA Wildfires on the local industry

On 7 January, devastating wildfires erupted in Los Angeles fuelled by the Santa Ana winds. In addition to the devastation to the homes and local communities situated across the Palisades and Altadena areas, the popular entertainment city has started to feel the impact to its industry as productions come to a halt, significant events cancelled or postponed, and studios shut down operations.

 

Image courtesy of Jessica Christian by Unsplash

 

Los Angeles's entertainment industry, valued at approximately $115 billion, a cornerstone of the city's economy. The cumulative effect of production halts, event cancellations, and infrastructure damage is expected to result in substantial financial losses. Moreover, the displacement of thousands of industry workers due to evacuations adds to the economic strain, as many are unable to work or have lost their homes.

 

Shows such as Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Hacks, and Fallout have suspended filming due to safety concerns and mandatory evacuations as a result of the LA wild fires, with Netflix postponing Meghan Markle’s With Love, Meghan to aid those affected. Major studios, including Warner Bros. and Universal Studios, temporarily shut down operations, affecting a wide range of projects in addition to Film LA, responsible for issuing permits for outdoor shoots, has cancelled permits in evacuation zones and warned of limited availability of on-set safety supervisors, further hindering production schedules.

 

The wildfires have led to the postponement or cancellation of several high-profile events such as the 30th Annual Critics' Choice Awards, initially scheduled for 12 January, have been postponed to 26 January. The announcement of the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards nominees was shifted from a live event to a press release and even the Oscars have adjusted their timeline, delaying the nominations announcement by two days. Film premieres, including those for The Last Showgirl and Better Man, as the city navigates the ongoing crisis.

 

The 2025 wildfires have prompted a revaluation of disaster preparedness within Hollywood. Studios and production companies are likely to invest in more robust contingency planning to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters. This includes reassessing filming locations, enhancing safety protocols, and considering the environmental implications of production activities.

 

 

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