Griffith Park has reopened to the public, more than a week after the Sunset Fire broke out in the area.
The 4,210-acre park and its extensive network of hiking trails will open at 8 a.m. Thursday, and the observatory is scheduled to open at noon.
The Los Angeles Zoo and the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park have also reopened. Admission to the museum is free until Monday.
Nearby Runyon Canyon Park remains closed. The Sunset Fire was reported Jan. 8 at 2350 N. Solar Drive, just west of the popular 160-acre Hollywood Hills hiking spot.
Runyon was also scheduled to reopen Thursday, but the city’s Recreation and Parks Department reversed course, citing fire damage.
“For everyone’s safety and to restore normalcy, the park will be closed until further notice,” the department said.
A day after the fire broke out, Los Angeles firefighters achieved 100% containment of the Sunset Fire. The fire led to mandatory evacuation orders and massive traffic jams in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills.
Firefighters at the scene said the fire had spread to about 50 acres at its peak, and flames were closing in on homes along North Carson Avenue.
Although the fire was short-lived, it caused alarm throughout Hollywood. The evacuation encompassed iconic locations such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Pantages Theater, Dolby Theater, and Ovation Hollywood, a downtown Hollywood shopping center.
Firefighters credited effective water-dropping aircraft with extinguishing the fire. Firefighters said the nearby Hollywood Reservoir allowed them to get out frequently.
The Los Angeles Fire Department lifted all evacuation orders due to the fire by 7:30 the next morning, citing improving conditions at the scene.
Several parks around Los Angeles are affected by ongoing wildfires, including Crestwood Hills Park, O’Melveny Park, Palisades Park & Recreation Center, Rustic Canyon, Stetson Ranch Equestrian Park, and Wattles Garden Park. remains closed due to
The Park Service said it strongly advises hikers to avoid hiking trails, hillsides and forested areas of the park during periods of high winds and especially dangerous red flag warnings.
Health officials are advising people to limit their time outdoors as ash, dust and burn scars from active fire areas are in the air.
Experts say wildfire smoke is not safe for anyone and all local residents should be concerned about the potential health effects. If you must go outdoors, you must wear an N95 mask.
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