1933 Griffith Park fire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Griffith Park Fire |
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| Location | Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California |
| Coordinates | 34°8′32.66″N 118°17′36.28″W / 34.1424056°N 118.2934111°W |
| Statistics | |
| Date(s) | October 3, 1933 – October 4, 1933 |
| Burned area | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Deaths | 29 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 150+ |
| Map | |
 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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The 1933 Griffith Park Fire was a large brush fire that happened on October 3, 1933. It took place in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California. This fire was very serious, leading to the deaths of at least 29 people. These people were civilians who were trying to help fight the fire.
Why the Fire Started: Background
In 1933, the summer and fall were very dry. Thousands of people were hired to work in Griffith Park. Their job was to clear away dry brush and build new trails and roads. This work was paid for by a government program.
On October 3, 1933, about 3,780 men were working in the park. They earned 40 cents an hour. More than 100 groups of workers were spread throughout the park. Each group had 50 to 80 men and a supervisor.
How the Fire Spread: The Event
The fire began a little after 2 p.m. It started in a pile of dry leaves and branches in Mineral Wells Canyon. Many workers quickly offered to help fight the fire. Some were also told to help.
The fire, however, began to spread quickly up the canyon. There was no water system in that area of the park. The men tried to put out the flames using only shovels. Supervisors who were not trained in firefighting tried to direct the effort. They made some mistakes, like starting fires to try and control the main one. They also sent many workers into a steep canyon, which was dangerous.
The fire department arrived at 2:26 p.m. But it was hard for them to work. Thousands of untrained people were already trying to fight the fire. Around 3 p.m., the wind suddenly changed direction. This caused the fire to rush quickly up Dam Canyon. It jumped over a small barrier that had been built to stop it. The fire then moved towards the workers. This sudden change led to many deaths and over 100 injuries. By nightfall, the fire was under control. It had burned about 47 acres of the park. Griffith Park is very large, with about 4,200 acres in total.
After the Fire: The Impact
It took several weeks to figure out exactly how many people had died. This was because the work project records were not well organized. Also, identifying the bodies was difficult.
About a month after the fire, officials confirmed the death toll. The final count was 29 people. Twenty-seven people died at the fire scene. Two more died later in hospitals from their injuries.
For 85 years, the Griffith Park Fire was the deadliest wildfire in California's history. It held this sad record until 2018. In 2018, the Camp Fire caused at least 83 deaths, surpassing the Griffith Park tragedy.
To remember the workers who died, a special deodar tree was planted. It was placed at the entrance to the park. A memorial plaque was also put there. Sadly, this original plaque can no longer be found.
