gutman leads us off from the scene. reporter: tonight, the major new wildfire crowning the famed hollywood hills with fire. this is really frightening. they re a lot of homes here. reporter: some of the most expensive properties in america. wow, look at this. reporter: the flames engulfing interstate 405, one of america s busiest freeways, making for a hellish commute, and threatening the getty center and its priceless artwork. hundreds of firefighters on the ground and swarms of aircraft fighting the blazes from the air. with this area, it s been years since anything has been burned at all. reporter: flames churning into neighborhoods. that house is completely engulfed. and the smoke coming out is noxious. it s like breathing in tear gas. there s a helicopter overhead now. it s dropping water right now so we might get wet. they re dumping everything they have on this fire. you could see it from the helicopters, you could see that hose over there right behind me. they re