Is LAX closed due to Los Angeles fires? Here’s what you need to know.

The view from a flight passing over the Palisades fire on Tuesday. 

The wildfires devastating Los Angeles and the strong winds intensifying them are disrupting air travel in and around the city.

Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX, remained open as of 5 a.m. PT Friday, but 30 flights have been canceled.

The airport is advising passengers to check their flight status with their airline.

Since Tuesday, when the wildfires began, 890 flights have been delayed and 107 have been canceled at LAX, according to data from FlightAware.

Wednesday was the worst day at the city’s main airport, with one in five departures being delayed, per FlightAware.

LAX typically has nearly 700 flights a day. It’s more than 10 miles away from the largest fire, the Palisades Fire.

Other airports in the area also remained open but faced disruption.

A spokesperson for Hollywood Burbank Airport told B-17 that on Wednesday, 41 of its scheduled 70 departures were canceled due to winds. It recorded gusts above 80 miles an hour.

The airport’s operations were getting back to normal on Thursday, the spokesperson added. Travelers were reminded to check their flight status before going to the airport.

Several carriers have issued waivers for change fees, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue. The waivers apply for travel to or from LAX, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Santa Ana’s John Wayne Airport.

Santa Monica Airport is the closest to the wildfires, about three miles south of an evacuation order resulting from the Palisades Fire. It is a general aviation airport, which means commercial flights don’t typically operate there.

BBC News reporter Ben Derico said his Wednesday flight to Burbank had to turn around and return to Las Vegas.

“After a bumpy attempt at touching down the landing was abandoned,” he wrote. “The captain told us the winds were just too strong.”

A flight passenger traveling from Denver to Los Angeles captured footage of the Palisades Fire tearing across neighborhoods as the plane was making its descent into Los Angeles International Airport. The plane was originally going to land in Burbank, but was diverted to LAX.… pic.twitter.com/Wdtb9vhOOb

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 8, 2025

Tai Wright, from North Hollywood, told Newsweek her flight from Dallas to Burbank diverted to LAX.

“The heat inside the aircraft started to rise, and the smoke smell filled the cabin,” she said.

“The entire landing was rocky, with the aircraft swaying and turning in all directions right up until touchdown, and everyone on board applauded with good reason after we touched ground.”

#PalisadesFire great drop pic.twitter.com/B5GTEcovv8

— firevalleyphoto (@firevalleyphoto) January 7, 2025

Aviation is also playing a key role in fighting the wildfires. The Los Angeles Fire Department said 12 helicopters and six fixed-wing aircraft were in operation.

The FAA issued two temporary flight restrictions on Thursday near the fires in order to keep the area clear for firefighting aviation operations.

At least 10 people have died and nearly 180,000 have evacuated due to the wildfires.

A number of major attractions in Los Angeles remain open or have reopened since closing earlier in the week. Universal Studios Hollywood, for example, is due to reopen Friday after closing for much of the week.

However, many attractions, such as the Getty Villa, remain closed. A number of sporting events, such as the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA on Thursday night, have been canceled.