The devastating wildfires across Los Angeles County have scorched over 28,000 acres, destroyed more than 5,000 structures, and displaced thousands of residents. However, despite the widespread destruction, central production hubs and major soundstages in Los Angeles have been spared, with productions expected to resume once conditions stabilize.
The Sunset Fire, which triggered mandatory evacuation orders in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, threatened key production facilities like Radford Studio Center and Sunset Gower Studios. Firefighters made significant progress overnight, pushing back the flames before they could reach these critical locations, as well as landmarks like the TCL Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre. Meanwhile, other blazes, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, have wreaked havoc in surrounding communities, with the Palisades Fire alone destroying over 17,000 acres and Palisades Charter High School, a popular filming location for productions like Carrie and Teen Wolf.
Impact on Productions and Facilities
While soundstages have remained physically unscathed, production across Los Angeles has been significantly disrupted due to poor air quality and the need to keep roadways clear for emergency responders. Shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Rookie, and Abbott Elementary have halted filming, while major studio lots, including Warner Bros. in Burbank, have temporarily shut down.
Universal Studio Group productions like Hacks, Suits: L.A., and Loot are among those on pause, with plans to resume shooting as conditions improve. Similarly, Fallout season 2, which benefits from California’s $25 million tax credit, is tentatively slated to restart filming in Santa Clarita this week. Decisions to resume filming are being made on a case-by-case basis in coordination with local authorities and producers.
Firefighter Resources Diverted to Emergency Response
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has redirected resources typically available to support productions, further complicating filming schedules. FilmLA, the local permitting agency, announced that permits for filming in areas like Altadena, La Crescenta, and unincorporated Pasadena have been suspended. County parks have also halted events until at least January 14, contingent on fire severity.
“With deepest appreciation for the efforts of local firefighters, police, and paramedics, we advise the production community that personnel resources ordinarily available to support film production may not be available during the local State of Emergency,” FilmLA said in a statement.
An Industry Already Under Pressure
The production halts come amid a challenging time for Los Angeles as a filming hub. Many studios have been shifting productions overseas to take advantage of tax credits, further diminishing the city’s share of the industry. Plans to increase California’s film tax credit cap from $330 million to $750 million annually aim to reverse this trend, offering $3.75 billion in incentives over five years starting in 2025.
“The entertainment industry, deeply rooted in this region, faces significant challenges as productions are halted, facilities are threatened, and cherished landmarks are damaged,” said Colleen Bell, executive director of the California Film Commission.
A Call for Community Resilience
