Los Angeles tourist attractions shut as wildfires spread to Hollywood Hills

Five people are now known to have died in the fires, which are the worst in LA’s history, fuelled by persistent strong winds. Evacuation shelters have been set up, and the Foreign Office has launched a helpline for affected British nationals.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today show, Californian Fire Service battalion chief David Acuna said the fire in the Hollywood Hills area, one of the five main fires, was expanding rapidly. He added the fires were burning with "zero" containment owing to winds of 60-100mph on Wednesday (8 January).

"We are heartbroken to see the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires," said Discover Los Angeles, which has published a list of relief accommodation available to people affected by the fires, as well as an extensive list of tourist attraction closures.

These include Universal Studios and Universal City Walk, which was shut on Wednesday, Warner Bros Studio Tours, which will be closed on Thursday (9 January), and performances of Wicked at the Pantages Theatre, as well as a number of museums, cultural venues and outdoor activities.

Discover LA is urging visitors to monitor information from the Los Angeles Fire Department, and to heed all warnings and evacuation orders.

"Our hearts are with the members of our community during this difficult time," the organisation added in a statement. "We extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders who have worked tirelessly to combat the fires since they began on Tuesday."