Leaders Mobilize Against Arsonist

Amid growing concerns about the rash of arson fires in Griffith Park, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge said Wednesday that he will ask his council colleagues to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture and arrest of the person or persons responsible.

The arsonist, LaBonge said, has “a demented thought to ruin the park.” Since April 27, Los Angeles fire officials said, 10 suspicious fires have been reported within Griffith Park, the nation’s largest urban park at 4,127 acres. Two fires, one of them that burned 15 acres, were snuffed out Tuesday.

Meeting with reporters at the Griffith Observatory, LaBonge and fire officials asked for the public’s help.

“Everyone is extremely concerned,” LaBonge said. “I encourage those who frequent Griffith Park to help put an end to this assault on a historical city treasure.”

As a result of the blazes, Los Angeles fire units have been placed on heightened alert.

To underscore the increased awareness, firefighters rushed to the observatory minutes before LaBonge’s news briefing because of a report of smoke in the area. Five engine companies, one truck company and a fire helicopter appeared at the scene, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

“It’s still early in the fire season, and there’ll probably be more fires here,” said Battalion Chief John Miller.

LaBonge, an avid hiker who walks each morning in the park, theorized that the arsonist setting the fires may be a hiker since the fires have occurred off several hiking trails in the area.

“It may be someone who knows the trails here,” he said. “If any hikers see anything, they should report it immediately.”

Meanwhile, there is growing anxiety among residents who live near the park.

“Anytime there is a fire, we are concerned,” said Christine O’Brien, who lives in the Hollywoodland neighborhood on the park’s western edge. “We cherish the observatory and all of the landmarks in the park. They have to be protected.”

She said some area ham radio operators are organizing to keep a closer eye on activities in the park.

Concern also is growing among the many hikers and joggers who use the park. As many as 300 to 500 hikers meet there Tuesday and Thursday nights to walk the trails.

“It’s the safety of the people and the hikers that I’m concerned about,” said Louis Alvarado, the acknowledged honorary mayor of Griffith Park. LaBonge said he would bring up a motion to approve the reward at Friday’s scheduled City Council meeting. Fire officials encouraged anyone with information about the fires to call the Fire Department’s arson unit at (213) 485-6095.