What you need to know about Disneyland, Universal closures amid California fires

Fast moving brush fires continue to tear through parts of Southern California for a third day as local businesses, including popular ones amusement parks feel the impact.

Universal Studios will remain closed Thursday after the theme park announced it would close Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk on Wednesday.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed on Thursday, January 9 due to the extreme wind and fire conditions. As always, the safety of our team members and our guests is our highest priority. We continue to assess the situation and directing guests to visit our website for updates,” a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson told ABC News.

The Universal City-based theme park closure came as tens of thousands were told to evacuate Tuesday after a brush fire broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood near Los Angeles, which has since burned more than 17,000 acres and is at 0% containment so far.

Another fire, the Eaton fire, had broken out in Altadena, California on Wednesday morning, also prompting immediate evacuations. It quickly spread to over 10,600 acres and is also still at 0% containment.

A third fire, the Hurst Fire, northeast of San Fernando, California, had burned over 800 acres by Thursday morning and is at 10% containment.

Two more fires broke out later in the day on Wednesday, bringing the total to five. The Lidia and Sunset fires added over 400 acres to the total area affected early Thursday morning, with the Lidia Fire at Angeles National Forest currently at 40% containment and the Sunset Fire above West Hollywood at 0% containment.

Is Universal Studios Hollywood affected by the Los Angeles fires?

Both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed Thursday “due to the extreme wind and fire conditions,” the theme park said in a post on X.

The theme park is located in Universal City, north of Los Angeles and between Pasadena and Pacific Palisades.

Universal did not close until Wednesday, saying at the time in a statement on X, “We will continue to assess the situation and expect to open for business tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority.”

Is Disneyland affected by the Los Angeles fires?

Disneyland has not reported any closures due to the fires.

Guests can check the Disneyland app for the latest updates, according to Disneyland officials, who added that operational adjustments may be implemented as weather conditions continue to change.

The Disneyland Resort area, which includes Disneyland as well as Disney California Adventure Park, is located in Anaheim, about 50 miles south of Pacific Palisades.

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Are other California theme parks closed due to fires?

Six Flags Magic Mountain in the Santa Clarita area reopened Thursday, a representative told “Good Morning America.”

Six Flags Magic Mountain had previously announced it would close the theme park in Valencia on Wednesday.

“Due to high winds, Magic Mountain will remain closed today to ensure the safety of our guests and team members. All tickets purchased for today will be honored on any other regular operating day through December 31, 2025,” Six Flags Magic wrote Mountain at work in a since-deleted X post.

Meanwhile, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park has not announced any closings or delays due to the fires.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.