Universal Studios backlot opens after blaze

Characters, cowboys and the USC marching band take part in the celebration. A 4-acre fire on Universal’s backlot in 2008 wiped out many famous sets and shooting locations.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Doc Brown and the Nutty Professor do a chest bump as part of the celebration.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Molly Orr smashes a bottle of champagne against one of the Universal Studios Hollywood’s studio tour trams during the reopening of Courthouse Square June 16, 2009.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Workers atop the newly rebuilt Universal Studios Courthouse Square watch the festivities.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Universal Studios reopens Courthouse Square after a year of rebuilding the famous movie set June 16, 2009.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A fire engulfs the Universal Studios backlot at Universal City on June 1, 2008. The large blue screen at center is used for special effects, and the broken-up plane and the set at lower left are from 2005’s “War of the Worlds.”  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

A helicopter view of the blaze, which injured nine firefighters and a sheriff’s deputy. The fire engulfed the studio’s videotape warehouse, containing copies of TV shows and films.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Burned-out wreckage surrounds backlot sets that survived the fire, which consumed two blocks. Officials say Universal plans to rebuild the New York Street facades.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County firefighters keep an eye on smoldering fires as they mop up the King Kong attraction, New York Street and Courthouse Square.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)