Brush Fire Evacuates Griffith Observatory, Arson Suspect Detained

Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA: A brush fire erupted around 2:43 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the 2600 block of North Nottingham Avenue in the Los Feliz neighborhood in the greater Hollywood area of Los Angeles.

LAFD personnel responded by ground and air to an approximately 50′ x 100′ area of vegetation on fire, with light-to-medium wind, just south of Griffith Observatory near the Boy Scout Trail, reported the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Around 45 minutes later, LAFD reported that the fire spread to approximately 4 acres and was then classified as a “Major Emergency.” Griffith Observatory was evacuated and park rangers assisted with public safety by keeping hikers from entering the nearby trails. No homes were evacuated.

By 3:55 p.m., LAFD reported containment of the fire with 92 firefighters battling the major emergency brush fire with the assistance from LAFD Crew 3 volunteer hand crew.

The fire burned approximately six acres of medium brush, according to LAFD. Nearly all active flame had been eliminated and forward progress stopped after one hour and 12 minutes, said LAFD.

A person of interest in the area was questioned by the Los Angeles Police Department and taken into custody, reported LAFD around 6:30 p.m.

There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Video: Keith Johnson, Photojournalist / KNN