One year after the Griffith Park fire, prosecutors say they may soon file criminal charges
It's been a year since Griffith Park burned, and firefighters who fought the 800-acre blaze were honored today by Tom LaBonge, the L.A. city councilman in whose district the park sits, and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Meanwhile, authorities say they could be just weeks away from bringing charges against the man they believe started the fire. Andrew Blankstein has the story:
Los Angeles County prosecutors so far have refused to identify just who they detained soon after the fire broke out early on the afternoon of May 8, in Aberdeen Canyon, northeast of the Roosevelt Golf Course and near the Greek Theatre.
Prosecutors said they expect to decide whether to file criminal charges within weeks.
Described as a man in 20s, who lives out of state, the suspect was questioned and eventually cited on suspicion of smoking in a restricted area. But thus far no criminal charges have been filed in the case, which officials say remains under investigation.
More in Andrew's full story.
We've got a photo gallery of the Griffith Park fire here, a video here, KTLA coverage, and here are some photos from readers.
Also in LAist (natch), and at ABC7 and CBS2. And don't forget the Griffith Park Fire of '33.
-- Veronique de Turenne
Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times
