Los Angeles News

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― Firefighters are still keeping a watchful eye over the diminishing Griffith Park Fire Thursday. With help from the cooler temperatures and higher humidity, they plan to have the brush fire fully contained by the day's end.

"Due to the heroic and tireless efforts of the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department we have some very promising news to report to you," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at a news conference at the Griffith Observatory Wednesday evening.

"The tide is turning in our favor and we are winning the battle against the flames and the fire is 75 percent contained."

According to Villaraigosa, just two helicopters remain on the scene, and the command staff at the Greek Theatre has been sending firefighters home.

"If the winds remain in our favor, we are hoping for full containment by Thursday night. But we're not letting down our guard. If conditions take a turn for the worse," city forces will be ready to deal with it, Villaraigosa said.

The return of the marine layer is also expected to help firefighters battle the blaze.

The fire, which authorities believe may have been started by a homeless man who fell asleep while smoking a cigarette, began Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. It started just east of the Hollywood sign in the Hollywood Hills and quickly moved into the thick brush, fanned by winds of roughly 10 mph amid high temperatures and exceptionally dry conditions.

On Tuesday night about 300 people evacuated their homes, though only residence sustained damage, which is estimated at $30,000.

The fire destroyed Griffith Park's Dante's View garden and the Captain's Roost area. A bird sanctuary was 10 percent damaged, and the Cedar Grove area had 20 percent damage, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. One city vehicle was lost at the Griffith Park Nursery, and several restrooms were destroyed.

Griffith Park -- which includes the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Observatory and Gene Autry Museum -- will remain closed to the public through Thursday, Villaraigosa said.

Many traffic restrictions will also remain in effect.

The offramps onto Los Feliz Boulevard from both sides of the Golden State (5) Freeway remain closed, and only area residents are being allowed onto certain streets.

The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services has warned residents that the fire has had "a major impact" on area wildlife.

"It is important for L.A. city residents to understand that many wild animals will be displaced by the fire and may turn up in areas ...where wildlife has never been seen before," a department statement said. "These animals will be looking for water and may be seen drinking from garden ponds, pools and other water reservoirs."

The department recommends that uninjured, displaced animals that do not appear to have been orphaned should be left alone. However, residents should report all injured, sick and orphaned animals to the Department of Animal Services at (888) 452-7381.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an alert that warns residents of poor air quality in central parts of Los Angeles County and the east San Fernando Valley, especially for residents with heart or lung disease, emphysema, asthma and chronic lung problems.
They have urged residents to check their health, keep their medication handy and avoid any outdoor physical activity. The department added that schools in areas affected by the smoke should halt all physical activity and restrict general activity for individuals with health problems.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)