Five Acre Brush Fire Near Griffith Park Observatory

On Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 3:38 PM, 41 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Arson Units, 2 Rehab Units, 4 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 9 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Brush Patrol, the Dozer Company, 1 CERT Coordinator, 3 L.A. County Camp Crews with 3 Supervisors, a Battalion Chief and Helicopter, Park Rangers and General Services, under the direction of Assistant Chief Daniel McCarthy, responded to a Major Emergency Brush Fire at 2301 Hobart Bl. in the Hollywood Hills area.

Firefighters responded to reports of a brush fire near the Griffith Park Observatory. Arriving units found approximately a quarter acre of light brush burning. Winds were not a factor at the bottom of the canyon, yet reports indicated that winds were gusting significantly at the top of the canyon. As Firefighters worked diligently to put out the flames, an LAPD airship overhead relayed to the IC that a spot fire was flaring up approximately 100 feet below and another 300 feet away from the Observatory. A Strike Team was quickly dispatched to the Observatory for structure protection and to safely evacuate approximately 50 people. Additional reports indicated the fire had spread to heavy brush and additional companies were dispatched to the fire.

Assisting agencies and approximately 250 LAFD Firefighters were able to contain the fire to only five acres, with a knockdown called at 2 hours and 51 minutes. There was one minor injury to a Park Ranger and no dollar loss to structures. The cause of the fire is undetermined until the completion of the fire investigation.

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies on behalf of Lauren deRosier
Los Angeles Fire Department