Five Santa Barbara County Fire Department engine companies sent down early Wednesday morning to help battle the Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles were demobilized and sent back to Santa Barbara Thursday afternoon. The wildland mixed strike team, composed of the five engine companies and a strike team leader – a total of 19 firefighters – were dispatched at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday. The team worked for 24 hours in perimeter fire protection and control near Bee Rock. One city fire engine, one engine from Carpinteria and Montecito, along with two county engines responded to the fire.
The fire has burned more than 800 acres and is about 75 percent contained. Full containment of the fire was expected today. Griffith Park is roughly 4,000 acres of land filled with hiking and horse trails, cultural venues and homes. Structures have been threatened, with a few suffering damage from the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to reports.