LAFD 'Griffith Park' Fire Update - May 11, 2007 12:00 PM

The preliminary information below regards an event in progress, and was considered accurate when posted. Changed Information will be in RED

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TIME OF ALARM: 1:20 PM, Tuesday, May 8, 2007

LAFD INCIDENT# 0648

INCIDENT NAME: Griffith Park Fire

DISPATCH LOCATION: Intersection of Vermont Avenue and Hillhurst Avenue

VEGETATION TYPE: Medium to Heavy Grass and Brush

TERRAIN: Steep/Rugged/Rolling Hills

WEATHER: 80-85 degrees, 3-6 mph winds, 30-35% low elevation humidity 16-24% high elevations.

CONDITIONS ON ARRIVAL: 7 Acres, moderate wind/topography driven

CURRENT SIZE: 817 + Acres (estimate) at 95% Containment

CURRENT CONDITION: 84 degress, 2-4 mph swirling winds, 10% humidity
95% contained. 100% containment expected tonight

STRUCTURES THREATENED: None at this time

STRUCTURES DAMAGED: 1 Home Damaged, $30,000, Wood Shake Roof.

STRUCTURES DESTROYED: None

CIVILIAN INJURIES: 1 - Moderate Burns

HEALTH ADVISORIES: No formal advisories have been issued. Limiting or avoiding exposure to smoke is always recommended.

EVACUATION: None

EVACUATION SHELTER: All persons released.

ANIMAL SHELTER: None.

ROAD CLOSURES/TRAFFIC ADVISORIES: See Evacuation Zone Map and Real-Time On-Line Resources.

FREEWAY OFF RAMPS INCLUDE:
- 5 FWY. - LOS FELIZ NORTH AND SOUTH OFF RAMPS
- ZOO DRIVE CLOSED

SCHOOL CLOSURES: None

CAUSE OF FIRE: Under active investigation. Investigation is ongoing. No suspects in custody. The person of interest is cooperative with investigators and has provided useful information. He remains in the hospital for treatment and has been cited for smoking in a brush area. **At this time cause has NOT been determined**

LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMITTMENT AND SUMMARY:

COMMAND: Los Angeles Fire Department, Griffith Park I.C.

COMMAND POST LOCATION: Parking Lot at The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

FIREFIGHTER STAGING: Parking Lot at The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

LAFD RESOURCES ASSIGNED:
21 Fire Companies
7 Command Teams
2 Rescue Ambulances

AIR OPERATIONS:

1 LAFD helicopter Mapping and surveying ONLY

TOTAL FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL:

120+ LAFD Firefighters, 10 LAPD officers and 20 Public Safety Officers.

FIREFIGHTER INJURIES:

1 Firefighter (heat exhaustion) transported to hospital and released.

MEDIA STAGING: Greek Theatre Parking Lot: North End of Parking Lot.

ON-SITE MEDIA CONTACT: Captain Antoine McKnight, LAFD Public Information Officer

NEXT ANTICIPATED NEWS RELEASE: To be determined.

SMALLER ANIMALS:
Animal services at Evacuation Center (Marshall High School)


***KEY MESSAGE***
This fire had a six (6) mile perimeter. Due to the heroic and tenacious efforts of firefighters there are no active flames to report at this time. Firefighters will remain vigilant through out the night patrolling the perimeters of the fire checking for HOT SPOTS and FLARES Ups.

***SAFETY MESSAGE***

As a reminder to all residents please maintain a 200 ft brush clearance from homes & structures, have a family evacuation plan with both primary and secondary escape routes, obey all no parking signs on Red Flag Days, limit use of campfires and be careful when handling combustible materials. Together we can accomplish our mutual goal of protecting ourselves and our loved ones from wildfires.

***SUMMARY***

TUESDAY, May 8th, at 1:20 PM, a brush fire broke out near the Roosevelt Golf Course in the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles. Arriving companies reported a 7-acre wind/topography driven fire in the steep and rugged hills of the park. The fire moved quickly through medium to heavy dry grass and brush. The fire quickly moving southeast and threatened over 300 homes in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. Quick and aggressive structure protection by firefighters saved homes. Current numbers are that 817 acres have been burned, 1 structure received damage to its roof, 120 FF’s remain on scene, we are calling this fire 95% contained, 1 FF suffered heat related illness was transported to a local ER and was treated and released and one suffered a twisted knee. The Governor, Mayor, Fire Chief and other local Government official toured the sight and held a press conference.

CAUSE: UNDER INVESTIGATION

INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. NO SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY. THE PERSON OF INTEREST IS COOPERATIVE WITH INVESTIGATORS. HE HAS PROVIDED USEFULL INFORMATION. AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO STATE WHETHER THE FIRE IS ACCIDENTAL OR ARSON. THE PERSON OF INTEREST IS STILL IN THE A LOCAL AREA HOSPITAL. HE HAS BEEN CITED FOR SMOKING IN A BRUSH AREA.

• DAMAGED LANDMARKS IN GRIFFITH PARK:
• DANTE’S VIEW- DESTROYED BY FIRE
• CAPTAIN’S ROOST- DESTROYED BY FIRE
• BIRD SANCTUARY- DAMAGED 10% BY FIRE
• GRIFFITH PARK NURSERY- 1 CITY VEHICLE LOST, SEVERAL RESTROOMS DESTROYED BY FIRE
• CEDAR GROVE- DAMAGED 20% BY FIRE
  
  Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
  Los Angeles Fire Department