Griffith Park LA

[3ForksFF]

Did anyone see or hear any mention in the media, of the first Griffith Park wildland fire in the 30's while the park burnt last week? the original had several fatalities, but due to the fact the firefighters where out of work or homeless, the exact number is not known. Apaprently there was at one point a memorial plaque for the deceased, but it was stolen.

[RxFire]

the original had several fatalities, but due to the fact the firefighters where out of work or homeless, the exact number is not known.

According to NIFC, there were 25 fatalities on the 1933 Griffith Park Fire.

http://www.nifc.gov/reports/year.pdf

[NonSurfinCaFF]

Out of work or homeless is a bit of a stretch. At that time wildland fires were typically fought with a handful of trainined firefighters and a bunch of pick up labor. It was not uncommon for crews to be pulled from local logging crews, ranchers, bars or alleys at least until World War 2.

The crews burned over in the Griffith Park fire were mostly WPA crews who did work in the park in exchange for food, lodging and a small salary. Keep in mind this was the depression era when many people were out of work.

Due to poor record keeping and the fact that the firefighters were workers from all over Griffith Park the exact death toll is not known. 25 is the official number given but it may have been as high as 30.

[Mortimer]

and might I add...they picked volunteers right off the streets as they tried in 1952 after my dad and I were stopped on top of the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino and asked to help fight a brush fire. We were hurried along when they found out I was just 12.




UOTE=NonSurfinCaFF;809821]Out of work or homeless is a bit of a stretch. At that time wildland fires were typically fought with a handful of trainined firefighters and a bunch of pick up labor. It was not uncommon for crews to be pulled from local logging crews, ranchers, bars or alleys at least until World War 2.

The crews burned over in the Griffith Park fire were mostly WPA crews who did work in the park in exchange for food, lodging and a small salary. Keep in mind this was the depression era when many people were out of work.

Due to poor record keeping and the fact that the firefighters were workers from all over Griffith Park the exact death toll is not known. 25 is the official number given but it may have been as high as 30.[/QUOTE]