Firefighters contain small Griffith Park fire

A small brush fire that broke out at 5 p.m. Monday in Griffith Park was contained after it scorched about 5 acres, officials said.

Water-dropping helicopters were called in to assist with the blaze, which reportedly started near the northeast corner of the park before moving slowly uphill. The fire was visible from the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways as firefighters, including from Glendale and Burbank, worked in steep terrain to contain the blaze.

The fire snarled evening traffic as authorities closed down some freeway ramps and lanes for firefighter access. No structures were threatened, nor was the L.A. zoo, fire officials said.

At least 50 firefighters were on scene as seven helicopters assisted from above, said Los Angeles Fire Battalion Chief Charles Butler.

The relatively mild temperatures and high humidity also helped, he said.

If the weather was as hot as it is in the forecast for this weekend, “it would have been much tougher,” Butler said.

Daytime highs are expected to reach into the upper-90s heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.