Los Angeles: The announcement of nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, originally planned for January 17, has been rescheduled to January 19 due to the devastating wildfires sweeping through Southern California. The fires have wreaked havoc across the region, prompting emergency measures and disrupting key events.

Wildfires Force Changes in Hollywood Schedule

A wildfire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, one of Los Angeles' most iconic neighborhoods, on Wednesday night. The fast-moving blaze claimed five lives and forced the evacuation of nearly 100,000 residents. Among those affected were Hollywood celebrities like Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, and Cary Elwes, who reportedly lost their homes in the disaster.

Major events have been impacted by the wildfires. The Critics' Choice Awards, initially set for January 12 in Santa Monica, has been postponed to January 26. Similarly, premieres for films such as Unstoppable, Wolf Man, Better Man, and The Pitt were canceled. The SAG Awards nominations, originally planned for a live announcement, were instead released via a press statement.

Academy's Response

In an email addressed to members, Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed deep concern for those affected by the fires. 

To accommodate the disruptions, the Academy extended the voting deadline for Oscar nominations by two days, moving it from January 12 to January 14. Voting began on January 8, allowing nearly 10,000 Academy members extra time to submit their choices.

Looking Ahead to the 97th Academy Awards

Conan O'Brien is set to host the 2025 Oscars ceremony, which will take place on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Despite the current challenges, the Academy remains committed to celebrating cinematic excellence.

Wildfires Los Angeles:

Two fast-moving wildfires erupted on January 7 in the Los Angeles area, causing widespread destruction, forcing thousands to evacuate, and endangering multi-million dollar homes. The first fire, known as the Eaton Fire, ignited around 6:30 p.m. in Altadena, near a nature preserve. The fire spread quickly, prompting the urgent evacuation of a senior care facility. Staff rushed to evacuate residents, some in wheelchairs and hospital beds, moving them to a nearby parking lot until ambulances arrived to transport them to safety.

Earlier that day, another wildfire began tearing through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood along the coast, a wealthy area known for its celebrity residents. The fire spread rapidly, destroying multiple homes and forcing evacuations. Fierce winds, exceeding 60 mph, fueled the flames, and the Los Angeles Fire Department had to call in off-duty firefighters for assistance. The high winds grounded firefighting aircraft, significantly hindering efforts to control the flames.

As Southern California grapples with the wildfires, the entertainment industry  alsoshows resilience, adapting schedules while offering support to those affected by the tragedy.