A California Department of Corrections hand crew works containment lines ahead of the Palisades Fire Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA — Millions of Southern Californians were on edge as winds began picking up during a final round of dangerous fire weather forecast for the region where two massive blazes have killed at least 25 and destroyed thousands of homes. A day after firefighters got a reprieve with lighter winds than expected, gusts on Wednesday were hitting up to 35 mph on the coast and valleys and 55 mph in the mountains before dawn, National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall said.

Millions of Southern Californians were on edge as winds began picking up during a final round of dangerous fire weather forecast for the region Wednesday where two massive blazes have killed at least 25 and destroyed thousands of homes.

A day after firefighters got a reprieve with lighter winds than expected, gusts were hitting up to 35 mph on the coast and valleys and 55 mph in the mountains before dawn, National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall said.

Here’s the latest:

BAFTA goes ahead with nominations but wildfires dull the celebrations

“Before we begin, on behalf of everyone at BAFTA, our thoughts are with colleagues, friends and peers and all those affected by the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area,” actor Will Sharpe said on Wednesday before he and fellow actor Mia McKenna-Bruce announced the nominations.

British Academy Film Awards chair Sara Putt would not say whether the fires may impact the ceremony, which is due to take place Feb. 16 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, hosted by Scottish actor David Tennant.

Edward Berger, the German-born director of “Conclave,” expressed his joy at the 12 nominations his film received, including one for himself, but acknowledged the “strange” time to be celebrating when everyone’s thoughts are with the people of Los Angeles.

Hawaii wants to ‘show our aloha’ for Californians affected by the wildfires

Hawaii’s governor wants to offer discounted hotel rooms across the state to provide respite to California wildfire victims and first responders.

Vacant rooms can be used for victims to “heal here” and to “show our aloha for those who have suffered,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said.

Tourism leaders are working out details, including working with airlines and car rental companies to also offer discounts.

Hotels will decide how many rooms to offer at daily rates ranging from $129 to $279 for victims for stays of 30 to 90 days, said Jerry Gibson, president of Hawaii Hotel Alliance. The first responder rate would be $99 daily for about three to seven days, he said.

The prices reflect discounts of more than 50% off typical rates, Gibson said.

Hawaii tourism hasn’t fully rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Maui hotels took a hit after the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. Hawaii leaders note that more than 40% of Hawaii’s visitors are from California.

As Los Angeles burns, Hollywood’s Oscar season turns into a pledge drive

When the Palisades Fire broke out in Los Angeles last Tuesday, Hollywood’s awards season was in full swing.

The Golden Globes had transpired less than 48 hours earlier and a series of splashy awards banquets followed in the days after.

But the enormity of the destruction in Southern California has quickly snuffed out all festiveness in the movie industry’s high season of celebration.

The Oscars remain as scheduled, but it’s certain they will be transformed due to the wildfires, and that most of the red-carpet pomp that typically stretches between now and then will be curtailed if not altogether canceled.

Focus has turned, instead, to what the Oscars might symbolize for a traumatized Los Angeles.

â-¶ Read more about what’s planned for awards season

The NBA has rescheduled 2 games postponed because of the fires

The league announced Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jan. 9 home game against the Charlotte Hornets will take place Feb. 19. The Hornets’ visit to the Los Angeles Clippers originally set for Jan. 11 will now be on March 16.

A new date for the Lakers’ Jan. 11 home game against San Antonio wasn’t announced.

The NBA also announced six other scheduling changes to accommodate those updates:

1. The Clippers were originally scheduled to host Chicago on Jan. 21 and Washington on March 16.

2. The Bulls game will move up one day to Jan. 20, while the Wizards game will be on Jan. 23.

3. The Clippers’ March 19 trip to Utah will now take place Feb. 13.

4. The Lakers’ Feb. 11 home game against the Jazz will move up one day to Feb. 10.

5. The Wizards’ Jan. 23 game at Utah will now be March 19.

6. Washington’s March 18 game at Portland will move up one day to March 17

Emergency protections expanded for homeowners affected by the wildfires

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has expanded his one-year moratorium on insurance cancellations and non-renewals to include all the ZIP codes within the area burned by the massive Palisades and Eaton wildfires as well as four smaller fires.

Lara also called on insurance companies to stop any pending cancellations or non-renewals that were set to take effect after the start of the wildfires.

YouTube and Google pledge $15 million to relief organizations

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced the pledge on Wednesday morning, saying the companies — together with Google.org — will contribute to organizations providing immediate relief in Los Angeles.