Hollywood bosses have halted filming on new Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Aviator because of the wildfires rampaging through Los Angeles.

Several sets created for the film, a biopic of millionaire movie mogul Howard Hughes, have been damaged by the blazes - which have destroyed hundreds of homes in Southern California.

A spokesperson for studios Warner Brothers says, "This is just a minor inconvenience, as compared to those who are currently suffering through the devastating effects of the fire."

Sets created for TV hit Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman have also been ruined by the fires, as has an area of land used to film Mike Myers' upcoming movie The Cat in the Hat.

The Aviator, which is directed by Martin Scorsese and stars DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Gwen Stefani, is due for release in December 2004.