Brush fire ignites in Griffith Park behind Los Angeles Zoo
A small brush fire broke out Friday morning in Griffith Park behind the Los Angeles Zoo, prompting staff to evacuate some animals.
The fire burned about 30 acres of an area with "steep and very difficult terrain to navigate," the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement. Dozens of firefighters were sent to snuff out the flames, which were 15 percent contained as of 11:15 a.m. local time.
No evacuation orders have been put in place since the blaze is currently not threatening any structures. One firefighter who was injured at the scene was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover, according to the fire department.
Late Friday, President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for California, freeing up federal resources to supplement local response efforts to combat three major wildfires blazing across the state.
Trump's declaration allows the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts to help alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, provide support for emergency measures and free up federal resources.
The Los Angeles Zoo announced its doors would be closed to the public Friday due to the fire.
The zoo said its staff evacuated "bird show animals" and "some smaller primates." Staff also turned on sprinklers and hosed down hillside areas that are vulnerable to brush fires.
"It doesn't appear the smoke is causing issues for animals but staff is monitoring conditions," the zoo wrote on Twitter.
Smoke billowing from the flames in Griffith Park, located in the heart of Los Angeles, could be seen from The Walt Disney Company headquarters in Burbank.
Meanwhile, larger wildfires are burning up and down the Golden State. A massive blaze in Northern California has been blamed for the deaths of at least five people after its fast-moving flames ravaged entire neighborhoods.
