On Monday afternoon, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced that brave firefighters had successfully doused a blaze that erupted in Griffith Park. According to the LAFD, the brush fire was first reported at 1:02 PM, describing the scene as "light grass rapidly transitioning into moderate brush burning on a slope."
Firefighters swiftly descended upon the location, battling valiantly to "rapidly contain" the flames, which were located south of the iconic Griffith Observatory. Reports from the Los Angeles Times revealed that the smoke from the inferno could be clearly seen from neighboring Hollywood, casting an eerie haze over the area.
A subsequent update from the LAFD boasted that the fire was fully extinguished in just 31 minutes, covering a quarter of an acre. Remarkably, "all structures under threat were valiantly protected and remained unscathed," the department stated. An individual suspected of arson has been apprehended, and thankfully, no evacuations were deemed necessary.
Griffith Park boasts a myriad of Los Angeles landmarks, including the majestic Griffith Observatory, the enchanting Greek Theatre, the vibrant Los Angeles Zoo, and the renowned Hollywood Sign. The park also houses the charming Travel Town Museum and a whimsical merry-go-round, making it a cherished destination for locals and tourists alike.
However, it's worth noting that according to the National Weather Service, Southern California is currently under "extremely critical fire weather conditions" until Tuesday. The forecast predicts wind gusts ranging from 50-70 miles per hour along coastal areas and in valleys, and an astonishing 60-100 miles per hour in foothills and mountains, heightening the urgency for caution and preparedness.
Local reports indicate that a public safety shutoff may plunge over 250,000 customers into darkness. By Monday afternoon at around 1 p.m., more than 5,800 customers had already endured the inconvenience of having their power supply disconnected.
News of the Griffith Fire emerged just as firefighters were still grappling with the Palisades Fire, which was 59% contained, and the Eaton Fire, which stood at 87% containment. The Palisades Fire has ravaged 23,713 acres, leaving nearly 6,000 structures either destroyed or severely damaged. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has scorched 14,021 acres, causing widespread devastation to over 10,000 structures. These infernos are merely two of the disasters that erupted nearly two weeks ago.
A total of 27 lives have been claimed by the wildfires that have swept across the city, with other blazes such as the Hurst, Kenneth, and Hollywood fires also taking their toll. Among the prominent figures who have tragically lost their homes to these fires are Mandy Moore, Anna Faris, Paris Hilton, Bozoma Saint John, Jeff Bridges, Joshua Jackson, Billy Crystal, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Cary Elwes, Diane Warren, Cameron Mathison, Ricki Lake, Jhené Aiko, Milo Ventimiglia, and renowned record producer Lou Adler.
