On Saturday, August 16, at 2:08 PM, 39 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 3 Helicopters, 5 EMS Battalion Captains, 9 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, the Dozer Company, Emergency Air, Water Utility 109, Water Tender 88, 5 Brush Patrols, 3 CERT Coordinators, L.A. Co. Fire Camp Crews w/ Helicopter and Battalion Chief, Fire Departments from Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica, Culver City and Beverly Hills, CHP, DOT, LAPD, Park Rangers and Animal Services, under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda, responded to a Major Emergency Brush Fire at 184 Griffith Park x Travel Town in the Hollywood area.
Park Rangers spotted a 3 to 5 acre brush fire, burning uphill and requested Firefighting companies to be dispatched. Firefighters arriving on scene found medium to heavy brush burning and reques
ted water dropping helicopters and hand crews to assist. An intense fire fight ensued by ground and air resources. At 1440, aerial recon indicated a 2nd fire was burning on the opposite side, just over the ridge from the initial fire. The fire was promptly divided into Branch’s 1 & 2. At 1445, aerial recon indicated a 3rd fire was burning 1-1/2 miles east of Travel Town. By 1547, 2 additional fires were sighted bringing the total number of fires to 5. Companies from Area A were requested to assist in the major emergency brush fire.
Approximately 300 Firefighters from several agencies fought the intense blaze which consumed approximately 30 to 50 acres with 60 to 75% containment at 1755.
Travel Town was the only area of the park evacuated. A structure protection group was staged at the Zoo for precautionary measures.
The cause of the fire is undetermined until the completion of the fire investigation. 1 Firefighter sustained injuries and was transported to an area hospital.