LAFD 'Griffith Park' Fire Update - May 9, 2007 1:00 PM

LAFD News & Information: LAFD 'Griffith Park' Fire Update - May 9, 2007 1:00 PM:

LAFD 'Griffith Park' Fire Update - May 9, 2007 1:00 PM

The preliminary information below regards an event in progress, and was considered accurate when posted. Changed Information will be in RED

Any resident in the immediate path of a wildfire should calmly prepare for evacuation and follow the lawful orders of uniformed public safety officials.

An orderly self-evacuation prior to the issuance of official warnings may prove beneficial.

Formal evacuation orders - which are often specific to a locale or address, may be provided door-to-door or via loudspeaker. Residents in high danger areas should remain vigilant for contact or announcements.

Those who may soon be endangered but are not in the immediate path of advancing flames, are encouraged to monitor local news.

In the greater Los Angeles area, official information provided by or on behalf of the Los Angeles Fire Department is often carried on the following news radio stations:

AM 640 - KFI
AM 980 - KFWB
AM 1070 - KNX

We encourage Los Angeles residents to find and 'save' these stations on their battery-powered portable and vehicle radios.

TIME OF ALARM: 1:20 PM, Tuesday, May 8, 2007

LAFD INCIDENT# 0648

INCIDENT NAME: Griffith Park Fire

DISPATCH LOCATION: Intersection of Vermont Avenue and Hillhurst Avenue

VEGETATION TYPE: Medium to Heavy Grass and Brush

TERRAIN: Steep/Rugged/Rolling Hills

WEATHER: Being assessed at time of report

CONDITIONS ON ARRIVAL: 7 Acres, moderate wind/topography driven

CURRENT SIZE: 817 + Acres (estimate) at 50% Containment

CURRENT CONDITION: 84 degress, 2-4 mph swirling winds, 2% humidity
50% contained


STRUCTURES THREATENED: Structure Protection in Place, No Immediate Danger. Los Feliz area bordering Griffith Park, East of Vermont Avenue, North of Cromwell Avenue and West of Dundee Place (map)

STRUCTURES DAMAGED: 1 Home Damaged, $30,000, Wood Shake Roof.

STRUCTURES DESTROYED: None

CIVILIAN INJURIES: 1 - Moderate Burns

HEALTH ADVISORIES: No formal advisories have been issued. Limiting or avoiding exposure to smoke is always recommended.

EVACUATION:

AT THIS TIME RESIDENTS ARE BEING ALLOWED BACK INTO HOMES WITH IDENTIFICATION.

LA Zoo- CLOSED, NO ANIMALS EVACUATED, ESSENTIAL STAFF REMAINS ON DUTY
Gene Autry Museum
Golf Course
Boys Camp
Los Feliz area East of Vermont, North of Cromwell and West of Dundee Pl.
150 homes

** “WARNING TO EVACUATE”: (Voluntary)
Nearby residents are encouraged to prepare for evacuation, monitor news radio and obey the verbal orders of uniformed public safety personnel in their neighborhood.

** “CANCELLED EVACUATION ORDERS”: (Areas Open to Residents only with ID)
CADMAN ROAD (MANDATORY EVACUATION)
SHANNON ROAD
PRESTWICK DRIVE
FARMOUTH DRIVE
DUNDEE DRIVE
DUNDEE PLACE

(map).

EVACUATION SHELTER: All persons displaced by the fire, including those who will later choose their own accommodations, are encouraged to visit and register at John Marshall High School, 3939 Tracy Street (at St. George St), Los Angeles 90027.

ANIMAL SHELTER: Department of Animal Services Staff at Evacuation Shelter.

ROAD CLOSURES/TRAFFIC ADVISORIES: See Evacuation Zone Map and Real-Time On-Line Resources.

FREEWAY OFF RAMPS INCLUDE:
- 5 FWY. - LOS FELIZ NORTH AND SOUTH OFF RAMPS
- ZOO DRIVE CLOSED

HARD CLOSURES

1) NORTHBOUND WESTERN AVE. AT FRANKLIN AVE. (SOFT CLOSURE – RESIDENTS OK)

2) EAST BOUND LOS FELIZ BL. AT EDGEMONT ST. (SOFT CLOSURE – RESIDENTS OK)

3) EAST BOUND LOS FELIZ BL. AT VERMONT AVE.- 2 T.O. ASSIGNED (DETOUR EAST BOUND TRAFFIC SOUTH BOUND ON VERMONT AVE.)


4) WEST BOUND LOS FELIZ BL. AT VERMONT AVE. - 2 T.O. ASSIGNED (DETOUR DOWNTOWN LA TRAFFIC LEFT ON RIVERSIDE DR., TO FLETCHERDR. TO SUNSET BL. TO 101 FREEWAY)

5) WEST BOUND LOS FELIZ BL. AT COMMONWEALTH AVE. (SOFT CLOSURE – RESIDENTS OK)

6) WEST BOUND LOS FELIZ BL. AT VERMONT AVE. (DETOUR LEFT ONTO VERMONT AVE.)

7) COMMONWEALTH AVE. AT FRANKLIN AVE. (SOFT CLOSURE – RESIDENTS OK)


8) LOS FELIZ BL. AT HILLHURST AVE. - 2 T.O. ASSIGNED

9) NORTH BOUND HILLHURST AVE. AT FRANKLIN AVE. - 2 T.O. ASSIGNED (SOFT CLOSURE – RESIDENTS OK)

10) NORTHBOUND VERMONT AVE. AT FRANKLIN AVE. - 2 T.O. ASSIGNED (SOFT CLOSURE – RESIDENTS OK)

11) NORTHBOUND BERENDO ST. AT FRANKLIN AVE. – HARD CLOSURE

12) NORTHBOUND CATALINA ST. AT FRANKLIN AVE. – HARD CLOSURE

13) NORTHBOUND EDGEMONT ST. AT FRANKLIN AVE. – HARD CLOSURE

14) NORTHBOUND KENMORE AVE. AT FRANKLIN AVE.– HARD CLOSURE


15) MULLHOLLAND HWY.AT CANYON LAKE – HARD CLOSURE


LOS FELIZ CLOSURES


1) FERN DELL DR. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
2) HOBART BL. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
3) WINONA BL. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
4) NOTTINGHAM AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
5) CHISLEHURST PL. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
6) EDGEMONT ST. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
7) CATALINA ST. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
8) BERENDO ST. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
9) HILLHURST AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
10) COMMONWEALTH AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
11) OBSERVATORY AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.

NELLA VISTA AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
12) RICHLAND AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
13) WAYNE AVE. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
14) LOWRY RD. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
15) GRIFFITH PARK BL. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
16) HUXLEY ST. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
17) LAMBETH ST. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.
18) RIVERSIDE DR. NORTH BOUND AT LOS FELIZ BL.

SCHOOL CLOSURES: Not yet determined

CAUSE OF FIRE: Under active investigation.

INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. NO SUSPECTS ARE IN CUSTODY. THE PERSON OF INTEREST IS COOPERATIVE WITH INVESTIGATORS. HE HAS PROVIDED USEFULL INFORMATION. AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO STATE WHETHER THE FIRE IS ACCIDENTAL OR ARSON. THE PERSON OF INTEREST IS STILL IN THE A LOCAL AREA HOSPITAL. HE HAS BEEN CITED FOR SMOKING IN A BRUSH AREA.

LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMITTMENT AND SUMMARY:

COMMAND: Los Angeles Fire Department, Griffith Park I.C.

COMMAND POST LOCATION: Parking Lot at The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

FIREFIGHTER STAGING: Parking Lot at The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

LAFD RESOURCES ASSIGNED:
55 Fire Companies
7 Rescue Ambulances
4 Helicopters
9 Battallion Chief Officer Command Teams
5 Mutual Aid Strike Team Requests (30 Engines see below)
22 Support companies

ALLIED AGENCY RESOURCES ASSISTING:
30 Fire Companies (Mutual Aid)
3 Helicopters (LACoFD) FIREHAWK WITH 1 ADDITIONAL 412
5 Camp Crews (LACoFD)
100+ LAPD Officers

AIR OPERATIONS: 4 LAFD Helicopters, 3 LACoFD Helicopters / 4 Fixed Wing assigned

TOTAL FIREFIGHTING PERSONNEL: Approximately 500 Firefighters

FIREFIGHTER INJURIES: None

MEDIA STAGING: Greek Theatre Parking Lot: North End of Parking Lot.

ON-SITE MEDIA CONTACT: Captain Antoine McKnight, LAFD Public Information Officer

NEXT ANTICIPATED NEWS RELEASE: To be determined.

SMALLER ANIMALS:
Animal services at Evacuation Center (Marshall High School)

***KEY MESSAGE***
Although it’s rare to have this kind of hot weather this early in the fire season, the danger of wildfires is ever present. We are asking for the public’s cooperation in helping us to minimize the fire danger. There are things that can be done to accomplish this goal. Please maintain a 200 ft brush brush clearance from homes & structures, have a family evacuation plan with both primary and secondary escape routes, obey all no parking signs on Red Flag Days, limit use of campfires and be careful when handling combustible materials. Together we can accomplish our mutual goal of protecting ourselves and our loved ones from wildfires.

***SUMMARY***
On Tuesday May 8, 2007 at approximately 1:20 PM, a brush fire broke out near the Roosevelt Golf Course in the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles. Arriving companies reported a 7 acre wind/topography driven fire in the steep and rugged hills of the park. The fire moved quickly through medium to heavy dry grass and brush. The fire quickly moving southeast and threatened home in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. Quick and aggressive structure protection by firefighters saved homes.

• CAUSE: UNDER INVESTIGATION
  
  INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. NO SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY. THE PERSON OF INTEREST IS COOPERATIVE WITH INVESTIGATORS. HE HAS PROVIDED USEFULL INFORMATION. AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO STATE WHETHER THE FIRE IS ACCIDENTAL OR ARSON. THE PERSON OF INTEREST IS STILL IN THE A LOCAL AREA HOSPITAL. HE HAS BEEN CITED FOR SMOKING IN A BRUSH AREA.
  
• DAMAGED LANDMARKS IN GRIFFITH PARK:
• DANTE’S VIEW- DESTROYED BY FIRE
• CAPTAIN’S ROOST- DESTROYED BY FIRE
• BIRD SANCTUARY- DAMAGED 10% BY FIRE
• GRIFFITH PARK NURSERY- 1 CITY VEHICLE LOST, SEVERAL RESTROOMS DESTROYED BY FIRE
• CEDAR GROVE- DAMAGED 20% BY FIRE
  
  Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
  Los Angeles Fire Department