A brush fire broke out on a hillside Friday morning behind the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park, prompting a closure of the zoo and nearby roads.
As of 10:30 a.m., the fire was estimated at 30 acres in heavy brush with steep and “very difficult” terrain to navigate, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. It was 5 percent contained but fire officials said forward progress had been stopped.
As a precaution, the zoo said its staff had evacuated the bird show animals and some of the smaller primate species. The zoo’s sprinkler systems were turned on and staff was hosing down the hillside by hand.
Staff evacuated bird show animals & some smaller primates. We turned on sprinklers & began hosing the hillside. It doesn't appear the smoke is causing issues for animals but staff is monitoring conditions. Given ltd access to Griffith Park the Zoo will be closed to public today.
— L.A. Zoo Lights ✨ 11/16—1/6 (@LAZoo) November 9, 2018
The zoo was closed to the public for the day.
Zoo officials said it did not appear that the smoke was causing any issues for the animals but staff was continuously monitoring the conditions.
