Brush fire which broke out near Griffith Observatory contained by LAFD
A brush fire erupted Tuesday in the brush just below Griffith Observatory.
The fire broke out just before 3 p.m. in the 2600 block of North Nottingham Avenue. The Los Angeles Fire Department was able to contain the fire a little over an hour after 92 firefighters and helicopters arrived. The LAFD said that there was a light-to-medium wind.
The expanded to about six acres around the Griffith Observatory, which was evacuated out of an abundance of caution. No homes were evacuated, but Park Rangers did keep hikers off the nearby trails.
At about 3:55 p.m. the Los Angeles Police Department detained a person of interest, who was a suspected arsonist, nearby the fire.
Officials provide update on Griffith Park brusher
Video taken near Griffith Park, where firefighters were able to contain an approximately six acre brushfire before it reached the observatory, shows officers with the Los Angeles Police Department detaining a suspected arsonist.
While no homes were evacuated as a result of the fire, officials did evacuate Griffith Observatory out of an abundance of caution.
"We hit this very hard, very fast from ground and air," said LAFD Cpt. Erik Scott. "Firefighters flanked both sides, pinched it off and we used our helicopters to take the heat out of the front of the fire."
Officials also said that any residents living in foothill areas have an evacuation plan in place, as well as defensible space around their homes.
Crews will remain at the scene throughout the night to mop up the scene and ensure there are no additional flareups.
LAPD said the person detained is a suspected arsonist
The Los Angeles Police Department said that the person of interest who was detained is a suspected arsonist.
LAFD contains brush fire near Griffith Observatory
The Los Angeles Fire Department said the fire near Griffith Observatory has been contained. LAFD also said that 92 firefighters were on scene to battle the fire that spread to about 6 acres.
"Nearly all active flame has been eliminated and forward progress stopped after one hour and twelve minutes," LAFD tweeted.
2 water-dropping helicopters fighting flames
Two water-dropping helicopters are making precision drops to help contain flames and hotspots in Griffith Park.
LAPD detains person of interest for fire
The Los Angeles Police Department has detained one person of interest in connection to the approximately 4-acre fire near Griffith Observatory.
Water-dropping helicopters and crews work to contain fire
Fire crews with LAFD are battling flames using water-dropping helicopters, firetrucks that have made their way onto trails and hand crews that hiked hoses and fire fighting gear up the steep hillsides.
Griffith Observatory evacuated
The Los Angeles Fire Department has evacuated the Griffith Observatory as Park Rangers keeps hikers off nearby trails. No homes have been evacuated.
Hand crews contain flare-ups
Fire crews with LAFD are focusing on an area of thick vegetation in Griffith Park, as hand crews have been able to contain other flare-ups.
Fire now 'Major Emergency' fire
The Los Angeles Fire Department has classified the fire as a "Major Emergency" fire.
Fire burns 4 acres
LAFD continues to battle the brush fire near Griffith Park. The fire has extended to 4 acres.
Brusher covers Griffith Observatory in smoke
Smoke can be seen surrounding the iconic Griffith Observatory.