GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, July 14, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported at 2:28 a.m. at 5600 W. Zoo Drive. Firefighters were working to contain the ¼ acre of fire, running uphill in heavy brush in Griffith Park.
At 3:44 a.m., forward progress on the fire in Griffith Park was stopped at approximately 2 acres. Crews will continue to work on steep terrain to monitor hot spots and get all of the burned area appropriately bounded by fuel breaks, which involves clearing brush down to mineral soil.
The cause of this fire is under investigation, there were no injuries reported. No structures were impacted as a result of the blaze.
A hiker who was injured was rescued in Griffith Park by the LAFD.
Photo by Galen Crout via Unsplash.
GRIFFITH PARK—The Los Angeles Fire Department rescued a hiker who was injured in Griffith Park on Wednesday, May 29. The incident was reported to the Fire Department at 11:50 a.m. at 4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
Park rangers on-scene in a remote area of Griffith Park about an injured male hiker, approximately 23 years old, with an ankle injury.
The LAFD’s helicopter crew lowered a paramedic down to the patient, while ground crews made access to the remote location with vehicles capable of navigating Griffith Park’s narrow trails.
Due to steep and difficult terrain, personnel with the LAFD decided to hoist the patient into a helicopter and transport him to a nearby hospital for further treatment. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.
An injured hiker was rescued near Griffith Park.
Photo courtesy of Lisha Riabinina via Unsplash.
GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, April 28, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced they rescued a hiker in Griffith Park. Officials were alerted of the hiker needing help at 10:26 a.m. near Hogback Trail.
The LAFD Ground and Air Response with L.A. Park Rangers responded to an adult female hiker with an injured ankle on a remote section of Hogback Trail west of Vista del Valle Drive in Griffith Park.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter lowered a Flight Paramedic to medically assess and stabilize the patient, who was hoisted along with the LAFD Flight Paramedic into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care. The victim was taken to an area hospital for further evaluation via direct air transport. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.
An injured hiker was rescued by the LAFD in Griffith Park.
Photo courtesy of Holly Mandarich via Unsplash.
LOS FELIZ/GRIFFITH PARK—On Monday, April 1, the Los Angeles Fire Department indicated that they rescued a hiker north of Mount Hollywood Tunnel in Griffith Park. The incident was reported at 2:48 p.m.
LAFD Ground and Air responded to a 24-year-old female hiker in fair condition with a fractured ankle. The hiker was hoisted aboard a hovering LAFD helicopter.
They were transported to receive in-flight care during direct transport to regional trauma center for injuries sustained. No additional details about the incident were disclosed to the public.
A traffic collision erupted into a fire in Griffith Park.
Photo courtesy of Nico Amatullo via Unsplash.
GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, March 3 it was reported by the Los Angeles Fire Department that a traffic collision transpired at 10:58 p.m. on eastbound 134 freeway at 48 Riverside Drive.
One passenger vehicle fell from the Riverside Drive (sometimes referenced as Victory Boulevard) freeway overpass, striking the concrete center divider of the Ventura Freeway (SR134) below, and catching fire. Two individuals from that vehicle self-extricated prior to the arrival of the LAFD.
A 65 year-old male and a 60 year-old male (unknown affiliation) with unspecified injuries were taken by paramedics to regional trauma centers in serious, but stable condition. No other injuries were reported. Firefighters remained at scene to control the stubborn flames of the still burning vehicle. No escalating or off-site hazard has been identified.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On October 15, at approximately 9:30 p.m. a shooting was reported in the 2800 block of Holly Ridge Drive near the Bronson Caves at the edge of Griffith Park.
A woman has been identified as Beatrice De Alba, an Academy Award-winning hair stylist who worked on movie sets such as “National Treasure” and “Hunger Games” and the Oscar-winning film, “Frida.”De Alba’s husband, Alex Spears made the 911 call to the police as his wife held the suspect at gunpoint.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a male suspect, approximately 30 years of age broke into the star’s $1.7 million home through a window with a pocketknife. As he entered, De Alba aimed her shotgun and told the suspect to leave. Reports indicate that she did not shoot the suspect until she saw him reaching for something in his pocket.
KCAL 9 first reported the couple told police they could hear the suspect say, “They hurt me,” and asked them to allow him inside. He was taken to an area hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
Neighbors later told police the suspect had been seen sneaking around in their bushes and attempting to break into other homes.
Anyone with information about the suspect or incident is asked to contact the LAPD’s Hollywood Community Police Station at 1358 N. Wilcox Avenue, in Hollywood or call 213-972-2971 to speak to a real person or 213-485-9899 TDD/TTY.
GRIFFITH PARK— On Thursday, June 1, the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners approved a donation from the non-profit Los Angeles Parks Foundation (LAPF) of 9.71 acres of vacant land to expand Griffith Park. The land – located off of Mount Lee Drive near Mount Chapel Trail and the Hollywood sign – will be “preserved as open space for Los Angelenos to enjoy,” LAPF indicated in a statement.
“The addition of this property would expand the CITY park system and add additional open space and trail connections for the use of enjoyment of residents and visitors,” the city documents read.
The rectangular piece of land – originally purchased by Hollywood studio magnate Howard Hughes for $20,758 in 1957– was one of the last privately-owned, open spaces within the park.
Image provided by LA County Office of the Assessor.
LAPF eventually purchased the land for $175,000, The Los Angeles Daily News reported. That money was raised through donations, including a $40,000 donation by the office of L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Ramen and other contributions made by Friends of Griffith Park, West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living, The Sikand Foundation and Robert and Joan Young (Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Guggenheim). A recent appraisal of the land determined that it’s now valued at $180,000, according to city documents.
LAPF is set to pay up to $5,000 in closing costs and the city is expected to close escrow on the property within 90 days.
Griffith Park – already with over 4,210 acres – is considered to be one of the biggest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States.
SANTA MONICA—On May 18, biologists found three baby mountain lions in the Simi Hills of the Santa Monica Mountain range. According to the National Park Service (NPS), the pups are believed to be the offspring of a 5-6-year-old female mountain lion they are tracking named, P-77. She was captured recently in a remote area and recently had a litter.
The father of the kittens is not on the NPS radar. Researchers have indicated that he probably came over from a nearby mountain range during mating season.
“The NPS has been studying how mountain lions survive in increasingly fragmented and urbanized landscapes since 2002. Since then, researchers have monitored more than 100 mountain lions in and around the Santa Monica Mountains north of Los Angeles,” states the National Park Service website.
The names of the new kits will be: P-113, P-114, and P-115. They too will be captured by NPS to fit with tracking devices.
Regarding the mortality of mountain lions, the NPS reported that as of December 2021, 28 out of 29 mountain lions have tested positive for an anticoagulant rodenticide (rat poison).
It may not be direct poisoning, but secondhand poisoning to kill other rodents. They eat a diet of ground squirrels and other rodents that got poisoned and the mountain lions consume them.
The other cause of death noted by NPS has been from traffic. Despite the wildlife bridges created to protect the mountain lions, the NPS reported that as of 2022, 32 mountain lions (collared and uncollared) have been hit by cars on major roadways.
P-22 was the most famous mountain lion in the Santa Monica Mountains. He roamed Griffith Park and was the first to grace the front page of a newspaper. He was 12 years old at the time of his death. He was captured after attacking a family dog being walked on a leash. Researchers were concerned about his health due to a noted change in behavior.
According to NPS, when the puma was examined, it was discovered that he had multiple injuries, some to the head, indicating that he may have been hit by a car. P-22 was euthanized. Four local tribes gave P-22, their beloved puma, a proper burial.
The only known mountain lion who lived longer than P-22 was P-1, the father of P-22, who lived 15 years. The birth of P-113, P-114, and P-115 helps the endangered puma population in the Santa Monica Mountains.
GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, January 8, a 20-year-old man fell around 2898 East Observatory Road in Griffith Park and suffered traumatic injuries. It is unknown what led up to the accident.
A 9-1-1 call was received around 3:03 p.m. prompting firefighters to be dispatched to the region.
Fire personnel assessed the scene and determined that an air hoist operation was needed due to the terrain and the injuries. The victim was transported to a hospital to be treated. His condition is unknown.
GRIFFITH PARK—The section of the roadway going through Griffith Park where Crystal Springs Drive and Griffith Park Drive meet has been closed to thru traffic and used by the public to avoid a stretch of the freeway.
The transition was following a hit and run accident that took place on April 16 on Crystal Springs Drive killing a 77-year-old cyclist named Andrew Jelmert.
Jelmert was reportedly at the end of his 67-mile trek when he was struck from behind by a motorist passing another car. Jairo Martinez, 37, who initially fled the scene of the crime was arrested and taken into custody on April 20 and has been charged with murder.
Drivers attempting to avoid Freeways 5 and 34 drove through the Park Service roads causing undue traffic congestion within Griffith Park for foot traffic, cyclists, and those on horseback.
According to the information found on www.laparks.org website, the Griffith Park Safety and Active Improvement project began on May 24 and could last up to a year. The plan could potentially make a safer environment for parkgoers by putting an end to cut-through traffic, reducing the speed limit within the park, and adding additional parking.
The road will remain open for those who are on foot, on bicycles, or on horseback. A crosswalk for pedestrians and equestrians is also in progress. During renovations, some parking on the roadside has been restricted.
Parking considerations are in the plans with the possibility of 90-degree stalls near the golf course along with off-site parking for the Greek Theater Operations and providing shuttle buses to and from the theater.
Plans are in the short-term phase closing the segment of road between the Travel Town Museum to Hollywood Drive to road-worthy motor vehicles.
Canyon News reached out to Griffith Park Rangers Media Relations Officer, Rose Watson for more information, but did not hear back before print.
GRIFFITH PARK—On March 31, the body of a hiker identified as Oscar Alejandro Hernandez, 29, was discovered. Hernandez was found in a remote area on a hillside on the east side of the park on Fern Canyon Trail near the merry-go-round with his faithful canine companion lying by his side.
Hernandez was airlifted. His dog, “King” was still alive and reunited with the Hernandez family who was on the premises when the body was found. It was said that King, by his emaciated state, appeared to have never left his masters’ side.
On March 22, the Los Angeles Police Department posted a missing person’s report asking for the public’s help locating Hernandez. He was last seen on March 16, at approximately 2:30 p.m. driving a red Ford Explorer with California license plate “7UVP993.” Authorities have not reported a cause of death at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact CrimeStoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
GRIFFITH PARK—A hiker was rescued in Griffith Park on Sunday, January 2 after getting injured. Firefighters and Park Rangers located an adult female hiker with a non-life threatening injury at 2899 E Observatory Rd.
LAFD Air Ops utilized a hoist operation and hospital transport for the victim. The initial 9-1-1 call was received at 12:09 p.m. No further details about the incident has been disclosed to the public.
GRIFFITH PARK—LAFD received a call regarding a 40 foot to 50 foot tree that fell in the parking lot of the Greek Theater, damaging 30 parked cars on Wednesday, November 3, at 8:08 p.m.
LA City Park Rangers conducted the first initial search and discovered a female age 35 had sustained an injury to the lower leg. The injured victim was transferred to an area hospital for treatment.
A second search was completed by firefighters, to ensure no one was trapped inside any of the vehicles.
No further details are available currently.
By Anita
Need Help? Chat with us
Start a Conversation
Canyon News is always open... Reach us on Whatsapp!
