Wildfire Blazes Behind LA Observatory

Sparks and embers rise up above the fire line advancing on residential homes below Griffith Park, Tuesday, May 9, 2007 in Los Angeles, Calif. Late Tuesday, authorities called for a mandatory evacuation of homes that sit along the park's southern edge as the fire burned out of control. Helicopters flew dangerous water-dropping missions after dark and no homes were lost by late evening. (AP Photo/Michael A. Mariant) (Michael A. Mariant - AP)

LOS ANGELES -- Firefighters made progress Wednesday against a wildfire blazing over Dante's View in the brush-covered hills behind the city's iconic Griffith Observatory. Animals at the nearby Los Angeles Zoo were moved indoors, and dozens of homes were evacuated.

The 800-acre blaze in sprawling Griffith Park was just one firefighters were battling across the nation. A wildfire in northern Minnesota had already destroyed 40 homes and buildings, and brush fires in Georgia and northern Florida have charred more than 200 square miles.

Griffith Park is a mix of wilderness, cultural sites, horse and hiking trails and recreational facilities set on more than 4,000 acres in the hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.

The threat to homes south of the park, where the fire erupted Tuesday afternoon, had eased and many of the hundreds of residents evacuated overnight were allowed to return Wednesday. However, fire officials warned that conditions could change.

"The canyons and those erratic winds are dangerous," fire Capt. Carlos Calvillo said.

Most of the Los Angeles Zoo's 1,200 animals were moved into holding quarters.

"So far the animals are faring fine," said Jason Jacobs, director of marketing and public relations for the zoo.

The fire destroyed Dante's View, a trailside terraced garden on Mount Hollywood, City Councilman Tom LaBonge said.

"This is a very sad night for Los Angeles," he said.

The fire appeared to have been accidental, said Battalion chief John Miller, who oversees arson investigations.

On the East Coast, a wildfire in northern Florida's Bradford County had forced the evacuation of about 250 homes, said Annaleasa Winter, a state forestry spokeswoman. That fire had blackened 16,000 to 18,000 acres and was 20 percent contained.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said more than 200 fires that had charred a total of 78 square miles were active Wednesday in his state.