Calif. Wildfire Has Claimed a Piece of Hollywood History

'Western Town,' where 'Westworld' and 'Gunsmoke' were filmed, has burned
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 11, 2018 11:07 AM CST
Calif. Wildfire Destroys Iconic Set Where Westworld Was Shot
The Woolsey Fire burns a home in Malibu, Calif., Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has scorched a historic movie site used by "Westworld" and forced celebrities to join the thousands fleeing flames.   (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

California's monstrous Woolsey fire is continuing to rage, and the AP reports that officials have called in a mobile DNA lab to assist in the grim task of identifying the 23 people killed so far. The fire's toll is expected to increase, and has extended to something of a Hollywood icon: Western Town in Paramount Ranch, the Old West set where Gunsmoke, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and most recently, Westworld, were filmed.

"We are sorry to share the news that the #WoolseyFire has burned Western Town at #ParamountRanch in Agoura," tweeted the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, per CNN. "We do not have any details or photos, but it is our understanding that the structures have burned. This area is an active part of the incident and we cannot access it." Paramount Pictures bought 2,700 acres in 1927 for use as a "movie ranch," CNN notes. (This dad sang to his daughter as they made an incredible escape from the fire.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X