LA Zoo Evacuates Animals As Brush Fire Burns In Griffith Park
List of Closures and Evacuations | Real-Time Updates
GRIFFITH PARK (CBSLA) — The Los Angeles Zoo evacuated some of its animals as firefighters battled a brush fire in Griffith Park Friday morning.
The zoo said on Twitter that the birds used in its "World of Birds" show and some of its smaller primates had been evacuated from the zoo property. Staff members also turned on sprinklers and hosed down the hillside.
"It doesn't appear the smoke is causing issues for animals but staff is monitoring conditions," the tweet said, adding that the zoo would be closed to the public Friday.
An LAFD spokesperson said the fire started in rugged terrain unreachable by fire engines. Instead, firefighters had to hike into the area on foot. One firefighter was hurt and transported to the hospital, although the spokesperson said their injury was not life-threatening.
At least one firefighting helicopter was assisting more than 120 firefighters fighting the flames on the ground. The 30-acre fire was 60 percent contained as of 2:00 p.m., and forward progress had been stopped.
The California Highway Patrol closed offramps on the northbound 5 Freeway and eastbound and westbound 134 Freeway in the vicinity of the fire.
Unlike the wind-driven fires threatening Malibu, there were no significant wind gusts affecting the Griffith Park firefight Friday morning.
