Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, and it’s looking to grow even more with the addition of ten new member properties that became members between October 1 and December 31, 2024.
18.01.2025 - 00:55 / euronews.com / Warner Bros / John Wayne / Joanna Bailey
A week on from the outbreak of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, it might be tempting to think it must be all over by now. But almost daily warnings of high winds show the worst is not over for LA’s residents.
For visitors, there has been no official message from Californian authorities requesting to stay away. The UK foreign office simply says, “‘Fast-spreading wildfires are currently active within Los Angeles County. You should monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities.”
So if you’ve got to travel to, through or from Los Angeles soon, is it safe to go?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) typically sees around 700 flights a day. It’s around 17 km from the blaze at the Palisades but has remained open throughout the crisis.
A statement on the airport’s website reads, “LAX is open and operating normally. Passengers should check their flight status directly with their airline.”
No unusual delays have been noted at LAX, with all services operating normally, although some passengers have had a birds-eye view of the devastation.
Several airlines are not charging passengers to change their flights. These include major US carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Southwest and JetBlue are not charging fees either.
Aside from LAX, nearby airports at Hollywood Burbank, Ontario and Santa Ana John Wayne also remain open and are also covered by the airlines’ fee waivers. Similarly, flights have not been delayed because of the fires, although the high winds caused some disruption last week.
If there were any danger related to flying from LAX, the FAA and airport authority would stop the flights. As such, it is safe to fly to and from Los Angeles right now, but whether you want to is another matter.
Depending on where you plan to go, some areas are not at all safe to visit. The wildfires are concentrated in the north of the city, with the largest fire in the Palisades consuming more than 97,000 square metres.
Other areas of LA County have also been affected, including near tourist hotspot Sunset Boulevard.
A health emergency was declared on 11 January over the smoke. Some water supplies have been contaminated, and people have been warned not to swim in the sea. Wildfire smoke is incredibly hazardous to health, with even brief exposure leading to long-term, serious conditions.
In terms of amenities, DoorDash has suspended services to affected areas and many businesses are closed. Emergency services are overrun with trying to manage the crisis and many local events have been cancelled or moved.
As of 15 January, some of the major attractions that remain closed include:
Warner Bros. Studio
The Getty Center
The Hammer Museum
The Natural History Museum
The Museum of Contemporary
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, and it’s looking to grow even more with the addition of ten new member properties that became members between October 1 and December 31, 2024.
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