The Screen Actors Guild Awards cancelled a live nominations announcement because of the wildfires in Los Angeles.
Film premieres have also been cancelled after 30,000 people living in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, home to a string of A-list celebrities, were ordered to evacuate, while a second fast-moving wildfire broke out in nearby Altadena.
Nominations for the SAG Awards, a reliable indicator for the Oscars, were due to be announced on Wednesday morning at an event hosted by actors Joey King and Cooper Koch.
Instead, the nominations were unveiled via press release on Wednesday afternoon.
A statement from the awards organisers said: "We urge everyone to stay safe and thank you for your continued support."
The awards will take place on 23 February, hosted by actress Kristen Bell.
Film premieres cancelled
The Hollywood premieres of Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez, and Ryan Gosling-produced Wolf Man had already been cancelled with a "don't wait, evacuate" order issued for the area by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
"Tonight’s premiere of Wolf Man is cancelled due to sensitivities around the worsening weather situation in LA and related evacuations," a Universal spokesperson said.
The star-studded premiere of Unstoppable, a biopic of US wrestler Anthony Robles who won a national championship with one leg, was also cancelled following the evacuation orders.
Unstoppable is the directorial debut from William Goldenberg and sees Jharrel Jerome play Robles and Lopez star as his mother Judy.
A US premiere of the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man has also been cancelled due to the "dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles", according to media outlets.
The film, directed by Michael Gracey, sees the former Take That star played by a CGI chimpanzee, a comment on how he feels like a "performing monkey".
A Paramount spokesperson was quoted as saying: "Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are cancelling tomorrow’s premiere of Better Man.
"Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies."
"Los Angeles is currently experiencing an extreme fire weather condition with red flag alert," the Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during a press briefing.
"The fire is being fuelled by a combination of strong winds and surrounding topography, which is making it extremely challenging for our personnel that are assigned to this incident."
Celebrity homes among those affected by the wildfires
Speaking to Claire Bryne on RTÉ Radio 1, LA reporter, Sean Mandell, said many celebrities and A-listers have homes in the Pacific Palisades area.
To all the wonderful people who've reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not. pic.twitter.com/xZjvsIg6Fg
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 7, 2025
"You have Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. You have Jennifer Aniston who has a home there. We know for a fact that Oscar nominee James Woods has evacuated from his own home there."
He added: "Reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of The Hills show – their home has burned to the ground this evening, but they were able to evacuate safely.
"Eugene Levy who is a wonderful comedic actor, who people may remember recently from the show Schitt's Creek – he is sort of known as the unofficial mayor of the Pacific Palisades – he was seen fleeing the area today."
Mandell also said well-known actor Steve Guttenberg, who is known for his roles in Three Men and a Baby and Police Academy, made an "impassioned plea" to a TV crew.
"There was a very interesting moment where an actor called Steve Gootenberg, who was in movies such as Police Academy as well as Three Men and a Baby, and some classics from the 80s and 90s, was on the street helping fire crews move some of these cars that we were talking about," he said.
"He saw a camera crew and went up to them and made an impassioned plea begging people to leave their car keys if they were going to abandon their cars," he added.
Praise for firefighters
Hollywood actors including Chris Pratt have praised the "brave firefighters and first responders" who are tackling the wildfires.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy star encouraged people to "come together" and "support one another" amid the destruction.
He posted on Instagram: "Please send prayers and strength tonight to everyone in Los Angeles affected by these devastating fires.
"Los Angeles is in a state of emergency and over 30,000 have been ordered to evacuate.
"Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and wildlife as they battle fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce winds.
"You are true heroes, and we are endlessly grateful for your sacrifice and courage."
Actor Josh Gad, who voices Olaf in the Frozen films, also praised the emergency services and posted a video showing a blaze ripping through a hillside.
He said: "My deepest gratitude and appreciation goes out to our brave fire and rescue and police forces who are doing everything in their power to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe right now."
Residents evacuate their homes
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Fire Department said in a statement: "People in the area of Palisades need to evacuate now due to a rapidly moving wildfire.
"Pack all people and pets into your vehicle and leave the area immediately.
"If you are not in the mandatory evacuation zone, stay off the roads to allow first responders and evacuees to move quickly."
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said southern California is facing a "critical" weather event as "strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity" were causing "extreme wildfire risks".
Forecasters from the National Weather Service for Los Angeles warned of "life-threatening, destructive" gusts that could last for days, bringing extreme fire risk to areas that have not seen substantial rain for many months.
It comes less than a month after residents in Malibu were evacuated from a wind-driven blaze dubbed the Franklin Fire, which saw more than 4,000 acres burn and stars including Dick Van Dyke, Cher and Jane Seymour forced to leave their homes.
Source: Press Association
