The Sunset fire began burning in the Hollywood Hills between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park on Wednesday evening, Jan. 8.
The fire, one of several that have been devasating large swaths of Los Angeles County since Tuesday amid strong winds, erupted at around 5:30 p.m. and has burned more than 19 acres as of 6:30 p.m., according to ABC7. The Los Angeles Fire Department is responding with 20 fire engines.
• Also see: This map shows where the Sunset fire is burning in the Hollywood Hills
A mandatory evacuation order is now in effect for Laurel Canyon Boulevard (western boundary), to Mulholland Drive (northern boundary), to the 101 Freeway (eastern boundary), down to Hollywood Boulevard (southern boundary).
Margaret Stewart, spokesperson for LAFD, advised residents to evacuate to the south.
The city has opened an emergency shelter at the Pan Pacific Recreational Center, 7600 Beverly Blvd., Mayor Karen Bass tweeted Wednesday evening.
LAFD crews ordered several road closures in the area, including a shutdown of popular Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Crescent Heights Boulevard.
More than 20 fire engines were on route to assist with firefighting efforts, Stewart said.
There was no immediate word as to how the fire began.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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