Wildfire forces evacuations at LA's Griffith Park
Associated Press
May. 9, 2007 12:40 PM
LOS ANGELES - Firefighters made progress early Wednesday against a wildfire blazing over Dante's View in the brush-covered hills behind the city's iconic Griffith Observatory. Animals at the nearby Los Angeles Zoo were moved indoors, and dozens of homes were evacuated.
The 800-acre blaze in sprawling Griffith Park was just one firefighters were battling across the nation.
Griffith Park is a mix of wilderness, cultural sites, horse and hiking trails and recreational facilities set on more than 4,000 acres in the hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.
The threat to homes south of the park, where the fire erupted Tuesday afternoon, had eased and many of the hundreds of residents evacuated overnight were allowed to return Wednesday. However, fire officials warned that conditions could change.
“The canyons and those erratic winds are dangerous,” fire Capt. Carlos Calvillo said.
Visitors to its Greek Theatre, Observatory and the Museum of the American West were told to leave. At the Autry National Center, which includes a museum of Western artifacts, staff threw tarps over the collections to protect them in case the sprinkler system went off, said Faith Raiguel, chief operating officer.
The flames forced officials to put most of the Los Angeles Zoo's 1,200 animals inside holding quarters.
"So far the animals are faring fine," said Jason Jacobs, director of marketing and public relations for the zoo. "I haven't heard any reports of anything going wrong."
About 35 people who live near the park, out of an estimated 300 evacuated from nearby homes, checked in to an evacuation center at a high school.
"I was just able to get a few things," said Ed Stephan, 83, who helped his wife into their car as ashes fell from the sky. "We're not too worried but want to get out of here and observe the law."
Authorities hoped residents would be able to return to their homes by evening.
The fire destroyed Dante's View, a trailside terraced garden on Mount Hollywood, said City Councilman Tom LaBonge.
"This is a very sad night for Los Angeles," he said.
Thema: Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles (Gelesen 1439 mal)