BAFTA Tea Party Canceled Due To L.A. Wildfires

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Tea Party, a key annual stop during awards season, has been canceled due to raging Los Angeles wildfires that have claimed two lives and destroyed hundreds of homes.

“In light of the dangerous winds and wildfires in Los Angeles, we are cancelling this weekend’s BAFTA Tea Party,” the organization announced in a statement Wednesday. “The safety of our colleagues, friends and peers in Los Angeles remains our utmost priority and our thoughts are with everyone impacted.”

The event was originally scheduled for Saturday at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Driven by winds that have reached hurricane level, the out-of-control wildfires erupted yesterday, first in Pacific Palisades, which has burned more than 5,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and forced the evacuation of more than 30,000 people. It was followed by the Eaton Canyon fire in Pasadena, which has claimed two lives and charred 10,000+ acres. The Hurst Fire in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley has burned 700 acres. None of the fires have been contained and the cause of all are under investigation.

The BAFTA Tea Party is one of many events cancelled or postponed by the wildfires.