This will Happen Again! Hell Strikes the Hollywood Hills By Inspector OTTO FIRGENS Los Angeles City Fire Department

This will happen again! Ryu and the City setting up Hollywoodland for death and disaster!

 Firestorm in the Hollywood Hills

By Fire Inspector Otto Firgens

Los Angeles Fire Department

May 12, 1961

First information obtained was that a brush fire was burning in the area of North Beachwood Drive and Ledgewood Drive, which is high in the hills about 1 mile above the heart of Hollywood. Later investigations disclosed it started in the rear of 3009 Beachwood Drive.

The hillsides in this area are very steep, the streets are exceptionally narrow with many of them posted with “No Parking” signs on both sides. Many locations in this area, which is dotted with homes, can only be reached by one route. Numerous new homes cantilevered over steep hillsides which are heavily covered with brush, added to the conflagration-potential of this particular district, always considered by fire fighters in the area as a possible stage for disaster.

In a trice, the Captain at Westlake evaluated these conditions plus the prolonged Southern California drought and the brisk winds blowing in the canyons. This was trouble and he knew it! He dropped his preparations for his broadcast, got up from his desk, and moved about the signal office–peering worriedly over the shoulders of his dispatchers–all of his senses tuned and alert–his ears tuned to the radio reports from the responding first alarm companies; his mind tuned to the problems and potential involved. He was worried.

By the time the first companies arrived on the scene, the fire had developed to the extent that it already involved one canyon to the northwest of Beachwood Drive and was making a wind-driven “run” to the north and east.

Captain Jack Ellison, in command of E-82, was the first officer on the scene. His size-up took into account the extreme danger because of the high wind. He immediately called for a 2nd alarm, instructing the signal office to dispatch 6 more engine companies.

Due to the heavy brush, high winds, low humidity and rugged terrain the fire developed into major proportions within 15 minutes of the original alarm. A Major Emergency was declared at 7:59 p.m. by Field Commander, Battalion Chief John Dick. (As the result of past experiences with Major fires and the problems they create, the Los Angeles Fire Department had developed a prearranged response for Major Emergencies. A Special Staff has been set up to respond immediately upon declaration by the Field Commander that a Major Emergency exists. This Special Staff consists of 7 Sections which are as follows:
1. Communications
2. Personnel and Apparatus Control
3. Water Supply
4. Supply and Maintenance
5. Public Information
6. Technical (Fire Prevention Bureau)
7. Civil Defense Liaison   MORE