MOSCOW: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has postponed the announcement of nominations for the upcoming Oscars by two days to January 19 due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area, US media reported on Thursday, citing a letter from the academy, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California. Many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you," the letter posted by CBS News read.

The academy also extended the voting period for selecting nominees by two days, until January 14.

The 2025 Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 2.

Multiple wildfires have broken out in and around Los Angeles, in California, since Tuesday, killing at least five people and prompting tens of thousands to evacuate. President Joe Biden has unlocked federal funding for those affected and cancelled his scheduled trip to Italy to focus on the response measures.

-- BERNAMA