Famed movie locations, landmarks, celebrity hotspots threatened and destroyed by fires in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is burning and iconic locations are under threat. Some, have already been burnt to the ground.

Southern California is burning and many landmarks in Los Angeles are at risk of being ravaged – some have already been burnt to the ground.

There are at least five fires burning in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas, at least five people have died, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes.

The Palisades Fire has spread to over 7700 hectares at a rate of over five football fields a minute. The Eaton Fire has spread over 5540ha.

MORE:Celeb homes destroyed in LA fires revealed

Locations Australians may recognise from movies and television shows have been destroyed.

The historic 30-room Topanga Ranch Motel, built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, has been wiped out.

“The motel, located across from Topanga Beach, provided an inexpensive seaside holiday vacation retreat for families and writers and was a popular film and television location,” California State Parks, which acquired the motel in 2001, said in a statement.

Credits included the 1970s television series Mannix and the 1991 film Leather Jackets, starring Bridget Fonda.

The fire aftermath of the historic Topanga Ranch Motel on January 8. Picture: California State Parks

California State Parks also confirmed Will Rogers’ historic ranch house and other historic buildings at Will Rogers State Historic Park had been destroyed.

Will Rogers was once one of the most popular and highest paid actors in Hollywood.

After he died in a plane crash in 1935, his widow donated the ranch to State Parks in 1944 and it became a historic park.

The ranch house was featured in the 1975 movie Funny Lady, starring Barbra Streisand.

Will Rogers’ ranch house and living room before (left) and after the fire (right). Pictures: California State Parks

Palisades Charter High School has too suffered significant damage. The school was featured in the 1976 adaptation of Carrie, Freaky Friday (2003) starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, television series Teen Wolf and Olivia Rodrigo’s Good 4 U music video, among others.

The Reel Inn Malibu, a beloved seafood restaurant described as one of the Pacific Coast Highway’s most iconic landmarks, went up in flames.

Celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cindy Crawford and Paris Hilton are said to have regularly stopped by.

“We are so grateful for the 36 years we’re been a part of the community,” owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote on Instagram, confirming all their staff are safe.

“We are heartbroken and unsure what will be left. Hopefully the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles.”

The Reel Inn Malibu was lost to the Pacific Palisades fire. Picture: GoFundMe

They have started a GoFundMe page for donations to help support their staff and continue paying their wages for three months.

The Pierson Playhouse, home of Theatre Palisades, has burned down.

“Too sad. Our beloved Pierson Playhouse is gone but the heart of Theatre Palisades beats on. We will rise again,” Theatre Palisades wrote in a Facebook post.

Theatre director Jonathan Fahn said he was “completely crushed” by the news.

“Monday night we had an outstanding tech rehearsal for a Friday opening with a full cast and crew. Now, it’s all gone,” he said.

Video showed the grounds of the Villa de Leon in Malibu on fire.

The historic mansion has been featured in high-profile shoots with celebrities and music videos like Beyonce’s Haunted and Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi.

Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a building on Sunset Boulevard on January 8. Picture: Apu Gomes/Getty Images/AFP

There were fears for the Hollywood Bowl, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre (which will host the Oscars on March 3), but they remain OK at the time of writing.

The Getty Villa Museum is safe, despite flames reaching the property, which is home to priceless antiquities.

“At the Getty Villa, some trees and vegetation on site have burned, but no structures are on fire, and staff and the collection remain safe,” Getty said in a statement.

Many Los Angeles tourist attractions have been closed, including Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk, and Warner Bros Studio Tour.

The Hollywood sign is not on fire despite images of it ablaze circulating on social media.

At the time of writing, the famous monument “still stands tall” on the Hollywood Hills with the Hollywood Sign Trust debunking rumours it is on fire.

The Hollywood Sign surrounded by smoke on January 8. Picture: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Tourists have been urged to avoid non-essential travel in the area.

“We are heartbroken to see the devastating toll the Los Angeles wildfires are taking on our communities. This is an active situation, and the safety of residents, visitors and first responders is top priority,” Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta said.

“Residents and visitors are being asked to avoid non-essential travel in impacted areas and are urged to use CAL FIRE as a resource for warnings and evacuation maps.

“We are so thankful to the first responders working around the clock to protect our communities. The high winds and dry conditions have put Southern California at risk, but quick action from first responders is helping tremendously.

“Thank you to everyone holding Los Angeles in their hearts today.”

Originally published as Famed movie locations, landmarks, celebrity hotspots threatened and destroyed by fires in Los Angeles