Griffith Observatory Evacuated, 2 Firefighters Injured Due To Fast-Moving Brush Fire

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - A fast-moving brush fire broke out Tuesday afternoon near the Griffith Observatory, forcing its closure and resulting in two injuries.

The Griffith Park Fire quickly grew to about 25 acres and was located more than one-quarter mile northwest of the Griffith Observatory, according to LAFD officials.

The Observatory was evacuated by Police & Park Rangers "due to drifting smoke and the need for responders' heavy apparatus to operate safely," officials said. Visitors were shuttled out of the park and were not permitted to take their own vehicles.

Parents carried their children to safety.

"Everyone was kind of nervous. Kids were crying. I was a little nervous too, for my son," visitor Ashli Yassim said.

"I was panicking," her son added.

The fire was 90 percent contained at 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Five cars were damaged in the fire. Two firefighters suffered heat-related injuries.

A scheduled concert went on as planned at the Greek Theatre.

The Griffith Observatory will remain closed for business Wednesday.