LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, prompting a mandatory evacuation order for a wide area of the historic Hollywood entertainment district.

Crews with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to reports of the flames at 2350 Solar Drive, near Astral Drive, just after 5:30 p.m. 

Fire officials estimated the wildfire had charred at least 20 acres in the Runyon Canyon area as of 6:30 p.m., and upgraded it to 50 acres at around 8:15 p.m.

Immediate mandatory evacuation were issued for residents on “Laurel Canyon Blvd to the west, Hollywood Blvd to the south, Cahuenga Blvd/101 Fwy/Highland Ave. to the east and Mulholland Drive to the north,” officials said.

The L.A. Emergency Alerts system advised residents near the fire to prepare for possible evacuation orders.

“This could be a critical situation. If you look at the top of the ridges where the embers are blowing off, the smoke is moving sideways, everything is moving horizontally, which means it’s going to be sending those embers way downrange,” Retired L.A. County Fire Cpt. Bob Goldman told KTLA. 

Aerial footage from Sky5 captured the balcony of one structure on fire, near Franklin Avenue and Vista Street, though firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze before it caused too much damage.

Footage also showed water-dropping aircraft making runs at the flames on the southwestern side of the Sunset Fire where officials said the most intense activity was occurring.

“At the heel of the fire, active flames have been extinguished, though smoldering continues within the interior,” L.A. County Sheriff’s officials said in a post to X.

An evacuation shelter was established Pan Pacific Recreation Center, located at 7600 Beverly Blvd, L.A., 90036. An additional evacuation shelter has been set up at Hollywood High School, located at 1521 Highland Avenue, L.A., 90028.

A voluntary evacuation zone was announced for a portion of Beverly Hills, according to the fire department, in areas north of Sunset and east of Coldwater Canyon Dr. Sheriff’s officials in West Hollywood also advised residents to make way for emergency personnel.

Sunset Fire Resources: LAFD Alerts | Evacuation Maps | CALFIRE Updates

Fire crews were already stretched incredibly thin while battling several other ongoing wildfires, including the nearly 16,000-acre Palisades Fire, which has destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures and the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena that has, so far, claimed the lives of five people.

While battling the Palisades Fire, crews struggled with poor water pressure and, in some cases, no water coming from fire hydrants that “went dry” due to high demand on the city’s water infrastructure. It is unclear if firefighters are still dealing with the issue.

Stay with KTLA for continuing coverage of this developing story.