The first fire started Tuesday in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, near Malibu, and others have since broken out north of the city.
As of 8:15 p.m. local time (04:00 GMT), the four fires in the Palisades, Pasadena, Sylmar and Hollywood Hills areas had burned more than 27,000 acres (42 sq mi; 109 sq km) and were 0% contained. . , according to the LAFD.
One fire in the Acton area was partially contained and two others were fully extinguished.
The fire in Hollywood Hills – a residential area overlooking the historic district of the city of Hollywood – began on Wednesday around 6:00 p.m. local time.
Less than two hours later, much of downtown Hollywood was covered in thick smoke, and the tops of the palm trees lining the streets were barely visible.
People used sweatshirts to cover their faces to help them breathe, while others – clearly startled by the fire – wore only pyjamas. Many were carrying bags and suitcases, talking on the phone, planning where to go.
Many roads near the fire — including Hollywood Boulevard, home to the Hollywood Walk of Fame — were clogged with traffic. Some people even drove on the wrong side of the road when they tried to leave the zone.
Resident Anna Waldman told the BBC she was going to walk her dog but almost immediately smelled smoke when she stepped outside.
She went back inside and, looking out the back windows, saw the fire and watched it move quickly through the Hollywood Hills, approaching her home on the block.
She collected what she could: food, clothes, blankets, food for her three little dogs.
“I can’t believe it,” she said in exhaustion as she removed her mask.
Makayla Jackson, 26, and her two-year-old son, Ramari, had been evacuated from a homeless shelter that was in danger of burning down and were now standing outside waiting to be taken to a high school where people were being offered help.
“They just told us to get out and go,” she said.
