In the past 48 hours, wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles County, displacing thousands and forcing the closure of some of the region’s top attractions, including Universal Studios Hollywood.
Among the blazes, the Palisades Fire has emerged as the most destructive, consuming over 17,000 acres and destroying at least 1,000 structures. This disaster marks it as the most devastating fire in Los Angeles County’s history, forcing California Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a state of emergency.
Additional fires breaking out across the area include the Eaton, Hurst, and Sunset Fires, the latter of which yesterday prompted evacuation orders in the Hollywood Hills. The fires have been fueled by extreme weather conditions, including Santa Ana winds that have reached up to 100 mph and an unprecedentedly dry start to the rainy season.
Universal Studios Shuts Down Amid Growing Threat
In response to the dangerous conditions, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk closed their doors yesterday. While initially scheduled to reopen today, the park has since announced that it will remain closed with no timeframe in place for reopening.
A statement from Universal shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, reads: “Out of an abundance of caution, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed on Thursday, January 9 as a result of the extreme winds and fire conditions.”
Out of an abundance of caution, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed on Thursday, January 9 as a result of the extreme winds and fire conditions. pic.twitter.com/1nYCi4iqDU
— Universal Studios Hollywood (@UniStudios) January 9, 2025
Nearby residents have shared haunting images of smoky skies in the area around the park, which is located in Universal City.
Other Local Attractions Impacted
Several other landmarks have also temporarily shuttered operations. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Los Angeles Zoo remain closed, while Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita also did not open yesterday.
Meanwhile, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, situated about 50 miles south of the Pacific Palisades, remains open. Reports indicate the Disneyland Hotel is offering emergency rates to cast members displaced by the fires.
Despite the proximity of The Walt Disney Company’s Burbank offices to the affected areas, the company has yet to release an official statement. However, CEO Bob Iger shared his reaction on Instagram after driving through affected areas in the Pacific Palisades, writing, “My heart goes out to everyone who has lost homes and businesses, and to all whose lives have been impacted, including thousands of Disney employees.”
Stay tuned for further updates.
