Los Angeles Fires destroy Heritage and Historic Sites

On January 7, 2025, devastating fires started in Los Angeles county, with the Eaton Fire killing five people and causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. Officials estimated that nearly 180,000 residents were evacuated due to the fires in Los Angeles County. Firefighters faced a shortage of personnel and resources, with approximately 2,500 firefighters battling the Eaton and Palisades fires. The situation was exacerbated by a lack of water at some higher elevation fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades. In this context, historical and heritage sites have suffered severe damages. Here is a list of historic and cultural landmarks and buildings affected by the Los Angeles fires:

• Will Rogers State Historic Park: The Palisades Fire destroyed several historic structures in this park, including the ranch house of Will Rogers, an actor, radio personality, and comedian, and the Topanga Ranch Motel, formerly owned by William Randolph Hearst. The horses and some cultural artifacts were safely evacuated before the fire arrived.
• Topanga Ranch Motel: This bungalow-style motel, built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, originally housed construction workers on the Pacific Coast Highway. It later became a popular vacation spot and movie set. The state acquired the property in 2001 and planned to restore about 20 cabins for public use.
• Reel Inn: This iconic Malibu seafood restaurant, known for its Pacific Coast Highway location and kitschy atmosphere, burned.
• Palisades Charter High School: This high school, which has been used as a filming location for popular movies and TV shows such as “Teen Wolf,” “Carrie,” and “Freaky Friday,” was severely damaged in the Palisades Fire.
• Getty Villa: This Greco-Roman art museum on Pacific Coast Highway was spared from the flames, but some trees and vegetation were burned.
• Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center: This Jewish temple, founded in the early 20th century, lost its buildings to the fire, but its Torah scrolls were saved.

In addition to these locations, several other historic and cultural sites were either in evacuation zones or closed due to the fires and high winds:

• Sunset Boulevard: The stretch of Sunset Boulevard between San Vicente and Crescent Heights was closed due to the fire and cars abandoned by people fleeing.
• Getty Center: This museum, which is not in the fire zone, has been closed as a precaution and to help ease traffic in the area.
• NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory: This research center for robotic space exploration was in areas subject to evacuation orders due to the Eaton Fire.
• Universal Studios and CityWalk: The Universal Studios theme park and its dining, shopping, and entertainment plaza, Universal CityWalk, were closed due to high winds and fire conditions.
• Hammer Museum at UCLA: This contemporary art museum was closed due to nearby fires and severe weather advisories.
• Rose Bowl: This Pasadena stadium was used as an evacuation center for large animals.
• Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens: This institution sustained only minor damage due to high winds and falling debris.
• Eames House: This house, also known as Case Study House No. 8, was spared from the Palisades Fire.
• Warner Bros. Studio: This studio, which offers backlot tours and sets of famous television shows, was closed due to fire conditions and high winds.
• Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens: This zoo and botanical garden, located in Griffith Park, was closed to the public.
• Griffith Observatory: This science observatory and planetarium located atop the Hollywood Hills was closed due to winds.
• Empire Polo Club: This club, which hosts the annual Coachella Music Festival, did not report any closures.
• Hollywood Sign: This iconic sign remained closed, along with all of Griffith Park.
• Hollywood Bowl: This amphitheater, which hosts numerous live music concerts, was evacuated.
• TCL Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre: These two theaters, located in the evacuation zone, were closed but did not sustain any damage.

This list may not be exhaustive and that the fire situation is constantly evolving.