Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Griffith Park Fire in LA Rages Out of Control Lighting Up The Night Sky

Update: 12:15 pm PST, May 8, Wednesday: Fire officials in LA say the Griffith Park fire is 40-50% contained and evacuations have been called off. No reports of injuries or major structural damage. More than 500 firefighters worked throughout the night to contain the fire, which had blazed out of control most of the evening producing spectacular scenes of massive firestorms. Live video feed from KTLA. The following is the official story published on Tuesday.

The Griffith Park fire that started earlier today in Los Angeles is now burning out of control creating a spectacular orange glow that lighted up the night-time sky with huge orange flames and sporadic flares of firestorms that exploded along side and behind the famous Griffith Observatory.

Nearly 500 firefighters are battling the blaze which has now engulfed approximately 400 to 600 acres of land and now threatens residential neighborhoods. Residents of one neighborhood have been evacuated. No reports of damage to structures have been reported.

As of 9:25 pm PST, the Griffith Park fire is raging out of control, with firestorms bursting behind the famed Griffith Observatory and ridges and canyons not far from the Hollywood sign.

KCAL News is reporting that the fire command center that was centered in the parking lot of the Observatory had at one time been threatened by the flames, but they were doused by fire engine trucks and air tankers.

Despite the spreading fire, the LA City Fire Department told KCAL News that the fire was 30 percent contained. But watching the fire on television tonight, it looks like the fire is far from being contained.

No injuries have been reported except burns suffered by a man who police are investigating as a possible arsonist connected to the fire. Other reports say the man was homeless and had fallen asleep in the park while smoking.

While there have yet been no additional orders for evacuation, nervous residents in the Hollywood Hills are beginning to take precautions just in case.

The fire is expected to burn all night long, but the real test will come in the morning when things begin to heat up again.

Weather forecasters expect another unusually hot and dry day in Los Angeles on Wednesday with winds and very low humidity (only 2%) fueling the flames.

This year's fire season has arrived earlier than normal due to one of the driest winters ever recorded in the LA Basin.

Stay tuned to MTB for continuous updates, photos, videos, eyewitness accounts, police and fire reports, weather forecasting and more as updates are published on this page.

This latest fire is nearby a fire set by arsonists last March that at one time threatened the famed Hollywood sign.

Labels: Arson Fires, Fire Fighting, Griffith Hospital, Griffith Park Fire, Griffith Park Observatory, Los Angeles Fire

Suspected Arson Fire in Los Angeles' Famous Griffith Park Causes Zoo Evacuation

A fire in Los Angeles' Griffith Park is burning out of control threatening LA landmarks like the Gene Autry Museum and causing the evacuation of hundreds of animals, birds and other creatures from the Los Angeles Zoo.

As of 5:40 pm PST, zoo officials say they believe the fire no longer threatens the zoo or any animals. Check out People Coverage of the fire.

A report from the Associated Press claims police are questioning a person of interest who was seen running from the fire. The man reportedly has suffered burns, but hospital officials are not releasing any details. There have been no other reports of injuries.

Go to the MTB website to watch a live webcast showing five helicopters and nearly 150 fire fighters battling the blaze.

The LA County Fire Department have brought in air tankers to drop retardants on the fire.

As of 5pm PST, nearly 200 acres of land in Griffith Park has burned and there has just been a fire jump into an area of high power lines, according to the LA fire department.

Another area of homes in the Hollywood Hills is now being threatened as well. Fire officials say they will be fighting this fire throughout the night, so stay tuned to MTB for updates as they come in.

The California Highway Patrol is reporting that highways all around the area, including the famous 101, are backed up for many miles. Los Angeles is experiencing unusually warm temperatures and low humidity with temperature today reaching near 100 degrees.

Weather forecasters said conditions will cool down by Thursday when the marine layer begins to move in bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

Brush and trees in the area are extremely combustible due to one of the driest winters on record. Fire officials are worried that the fire season has begun so early (even though this is being called an arson fire) this year.

Southern California receives almost no rain from April to November, which means there are many months ahead for bigger fires, the ones that really worry fire officials.