- Deadly wildfires are burning through California
- The Academy Awards have announced a string of fire-related delays
- They mainly impact Oscar nominations
The California wildfires are ravaging through the southern region of the state and causing chaos.
One of the things it has impacted is the Hollywood award season.
According to Variety, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has pushed back the voting deadline for this year’s Oscars nominations. Voting began on 8 January.
Their original closing date was the 12th. However due to the blazes, it has been changed to the 14th.
Along with voting for nominations, the Academy has also amended the date of the nomination announcement. Instead of taking place on Friday 17th January, it will now occur on 19th January.
Read more: Everything we know about the Oscars 2025
The changes were shared in an email from the awarding body’s CEO, Bill Kramer.
He wrote, “We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California so many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”
The Conan O’Brien-fronted ceremony will take place on March 2 on ABC.
What other industry delays have the California wildfires caused?
Several events have been cancelled due to the raging flames across Southern California. These include the premieres for movies such as Unstoppable and Wolfman.
The expected SAG Award nomination livestream featuring Joey King and Cooper Koch was also axed. In lieu, the film and TV nods were announced by a press release.
This week’s AFI Awards luncheon and the BAFTA Tea Party also have been rescheduled for the end of the month.
Read more: Blake Lively breaks silence for California wildfire victims
The Critics Choice Awards was postponed from the 12 January to the 26 January.
“The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony has been postponed from January 12th to January 26th due to the catastrophic fires ravaging Southern California,” a CCA rep said in a statement.
Their CEO, Joey Berlin, added, “This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.”
What destruction have the California wildfires caused?
Along with the relatively small fry example of delay to the Academy Awards, there has been widespread problems. Hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to flee their homes.
Among those whose houses were destroyed by the fires include celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester, Adam Brody and Billy Crystal.
Read more: The Pacific Palisades fires took these stars homes
In addition, at the time of writing, five people have lost their lives.
Wildfires are a typical feature of the region. the Santa Ana winds and the dry conditions come together to form a perfect tinderbox. However, they have recently become more destructive.
Experts have attributed the intensity of the flames, which have encroached into more residential areas, down to the climate crisis.
