Griffith Park Fire Extinguished, Arson Suspect Arrested

A quarter-acre brush fire broke out in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, around 1 p.m. on Monday, January 20, and was extinguished within 31 minutes by approximately 40 firefighters. An arson suspect was taken into custody after being spotted starting the fire near the Griffith Observatory, with police arresting him on suspicion of arson. Fortunately, no structures were damaged, and no evacuations were necessary despite the fire occurring under a red flag warning due to strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity. Witnesses reported seeing a man, possibly homeless, igniting the flames, prompting a quick response from both fire and police departments. The incident adds to the area's ongoing challenges with wildfires, as Los Angeles remains on high alert following recent devastating blazes in other regions. Authorities continue to investigate the suspect's background and motivations.