Oscar nominations are delayed to January 19 due to fires in Los Angeles

The announcement of the Oscar nominations for this edition, scheduled for January 17, will be delayed until January 19 in solidarity with the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles, the Hollywood Academy reported this Wednesday.

The most prestigious institution in cinema sent an email to its nearly 10,000 members detailing the date changes, in which it also offered condolences "to those affected by the devastating fires in Southern California." "Many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you," the statement read.

The Academy also noted that the voting period will be extended by two more days, with Tuesday, January 14 at 5:00 PM PT (01:00 AM GMT) being the last day for members to submit their choices. The extension is due to many premieres scheduled for this week being canceled or delayed by the devastating wave of fires that have hit the 'city of stars', which has left at least five dead and destroyed more than 1,100 homes and structures in less than 24 hours.

Other Hollywood award organizations like the Critics Choice Awards announced this Wednesday that they would postpone their gala, scheduled for next Sunday, January 12 in Santa Monica, due to the California fires, and so far have not announced the new date when it will take place.

The 97th edition of the Oscar awards is scheduled to take place on March 3 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.